Then the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” ~ Numbers 22:27-29
Just my way of saying that my quoting an individual should not be considered an endorsement of that person’s worldview. A few true words may fall from any mouth, even that of an animal.
I have explored parody a little on this blog before, embedding the lyric play of others and sharing my own attempts at the same. Some are not as fond of this game, and I can appreciate that, but here in this little free space -- I am going to unleash my love of words, the teasing hold they have on me, and my delight when I discover kindred spirits who wanna play.
Having said that, here is the latest:
Keep Your Ham to Yourself
I got a little pigs in a blanket, gonna bring a ring of
links
Of some sausage 'n' tenderloin bacon, green ham and eggs
Or eat some pork chops, how 'bout some plain old ribs
Always, no hoggy, no piggy, you know it’s in Leviticus
My honey, my baby, don't put my lunch upon no shelf
She said, don't hand me no swine and keep your ham to yourself
Bacon, baby, bacon
Why you wanna treat meat this way
You know, it's still my supper choice
I still feel it tastes great
That's when she told me the pure meats
Were poultry, fish, sheep and cows
And said, no hoggy, no piggy, or food you get from any sow
My honey, my baby, don't put my lunch upon no shelf
She said, don't hand me no swine and keep your ham to yourself
You see I started to feel bad
And I was about to give in
That's when I started thinking about the New Covenant
That part that talks about dinner
An’ I said, Honey, Acts 10:15
would suggest that I'm right
Please read Colossians 2:16,
Mark 7:19,
don't fight
And what about Romans verse 14:3 if nothing else
She said, don't hand me no swine and keep your ham to yourself
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Many thanks to my friend, Cathy, for introducing me to the original song -- with an a cappella rendition, no less -- and for enjoying the fun of this discovery with me.
I have to believe
That He sees my darkness
I have to believe
He knows my pain
I have to lift up
My hands to worship
Worship His name
I have to declare
That He is my refuge
I have to deny
That I am alone
I have to lift up
My eyes to the mountain
It's where my help comes from
Oh yeah
He said that He's forever faithful
He said that He's forever true
He said that He can move mountains
If He can move mountains
He can move my mountain
He can move your mountain, too
Oh, I have to stand tall
When the wind blows me over
I have to stand strong
When I'm weak and afraid
I have to grab hold
A hold of the garments
The garments of praise
I know, I know, I know
Cause He said that He's forever faithful
And He said that He's forever true
He said that He can move mountains
If He can move mountains
He can move my mountain
He can move your mountain, too
I have to sing praise
When the hour is midnight
He unlocks these chains
That bind up my soul
My sin and my shame
He has forgiven and made me whole
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Cause He said that He's forever faithful
And He said that He's forever true
He said that He can move mountains
He said that He can move mountains
He said that He can move mountains
If He can move mountains
He can move my mountain
He can move your mountain, too
I have to believe
I have to believe
He's got everything under control
I have to believe
Lord, I believe
Help my unbelief
I have to believe in You
I have to believe
One late October evening in 2009, I saved the following:
Simple words, beautiful couple -- and I cried.
Two
years have passed since I had the privilege of witnessing that tender
exchange, and now these two dear friends are having to prepare for the
hardest separation of their lives. While in the throes of accepting this
inevitable loss, I escaped for an evening of music and returned home
with much more in hand than the instrumental feast I had expected.
A borrowed prayer for my friends in whatever spot they find themselves calling "home" . . .
Grant them peace, most precious gift of all Keep the worried world far away and small When they return, may quiet fill their souls, Dearest Lord, keep them safe within it's walls.
May the stone be cool beneath their feet. The canyon breezes circle soft and sweet When darkness falls, the stars and opal moon Find them wrapped in each other, ever warm.
Chorus: May it be a refuge for their love, A harbor for their deepest prayer. May they come to flourish in the grove, Grow ever nearer to You there.
Many a burdened friend in their company rises, A heavy heart is soon released to fly. May their table be blessed with laughter and with grace And by the comfort of kinship be surprised.
Chorus
May the cold wind blow far from their front door May the winter rains never bring them harm May their hearthfires burn throughout the night Grant them peace until morning's perfect light.
Want to hear a yummy voice this morning? I've featured Mark Masri twice before [right here], but I listened to him again last night and decided to have his voice for breakfast this morning. There is still room at my table if you want to join me. *smile*
Time
If all the world’s a stage ~ and life is but a page
how do we make it last ~ the moments fly so fast
It's not for us to know ~ how long until we go
but while here on this earth ~ we must learn what time is worth
Time is too slow for those who wait
time is too swift for those who fear
time is too long for those who grieve
but for those who love and those who are loved, time is eternity
those who are loved, like you love me
And so the story goes ~ a tale of joy and woe
it's up to us to find ~ the reason and the rhyme
Time is too slow for those who wait time is too swift for those who fear
time is too long for those who grieve
but for those who love and those who are loved
Time is on our side ~ like the ocean wide
a never ending wave upon the shore
and where your heart ends ~ or where mine begins
it doesn't really matter anymore
Time is too long for those who grieve
but for those who love and those who are loved, time is eternity
Those who are loved, like you love me
Breathe, Dream, Pray, Love
Sometimes the clouds might block the sun,
Sometimes it rains on everyone,
Sometimes it all just comes undone.
'Cause life's a mess but beautiful,
With unexpected miracles,
Like you and I
Chorus:
That's why I try,
To Breathe like it is my last breath coming,
Dream like I'll never wake,
Pray like I know a new day's dawning,
Love like you love me.
And time was never on our side,
The moments all seem to collide,
Yeah it's a short and crazy ride.
I hold on tight,
I hold on close,
To all the things that mean the most,
Like you and I.
Chorus:
That's why I try,
To Breathe like it is my last breath coming,
Dream like I'll never wake,
Pray like I know a new day's dawning,
Love like you love me.
The way you move me,
Is why I was born to be,
You are the life that hid,
That burns inside of me,
You are the air I breathe.
Dream like I'll never wake,
That's why I Pray,
Like I know when a new day's dawning,
Love, love, love . . .
I Breathe, I Dream, I Pray, and I Love
I Breathe, I Dream, I Pray, and I Love
That's why I know,
Ohhhhhhhh
I love you baby. . .
Hold On
In a million years
you never thought you’d be here
so far so far
now you’re standing at the shoreline
of the ocean
and you’re feeling like a drop
and you wondering how in this world
will I ever make it across
Hold on ~ if you need to hold on ~ hold on to me
In a million miles you never thought you’d be here
standing at the peak
even still your heart feels heavy
and your spirit is weak
and if you should forget that love is all you need
Hold on ~ if you need to hold on ~ you can hold on to me
Whatever road you’ve chosen
Shouldn’t be walked alone
Hold on ~ if you need to hold on~ hold on to me
I won't let you forget it
I will not ever let you go
Hold on, hold on, hold on, to me
Whatever road you’ve chosen
Shouldn’t be walked alone
Hold On
For the lyrics to his album, La Voce, click [here].
For an auto-play collection of his videos, click [here].
Et je veux t'adorer de tout mon coeur,
Et je veux t'adorer de toute mon âme,
Et je veux t'adorer de toute ma force,
Car tu es mon Dieu, tu es mon Dieu.
Translation:
Your love, your power,
Your presence in my life.
And I adore you with all my heart,
And I adore you with all my soul,
And I adore you with all my strength,
For you are my God, you are my God.
It is in the quiet crucible of your personal private sufferings
that your noblest dreams are born
and God's greatest gifts are given,
in compensation for what you've been through.
~Wintley Phipps
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
Horatio Spafford's story:
"This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871 at the age of four, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, 'Saved alone.' Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died." ~Wiki
Horatio Spafford's words:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Bell donated by Charles Ingalls, Walnut Grove, Minnesota
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife,
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweet manners, purer laws.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
~Alfred Tennyson
Despite my thinking the last line is off (among others), I have always enjoyed this poem. I love the tolling mimicry as the bell swings gently, out and in, back and forth, the old and the new.
As this year comes to a close, I have little time to reflect at all on the past one. No resolutions to make. No new goals or desires. No time to add my own "Ring out" and "Ring in" to Mr. Tennyson's poem.
I remember the old days The miracles of long ago I reach my hand to You once more Come and fill my thirsty soul.
Let me hear Your kindness, LORD -- in the morning Let me see which way to go -- in the morning
The ones I fear have caught me And pulled my hope to the ground There's no escape for me Somehow lift the darkness all around.
Let me hear Your kindness, LORD -- in the morning Let me see which way to go -- in the morning
Oh, LORD, I trust in You Oh, LORD, and to you I lift my soul In the morning . . .
Let me hear Your kindness, LORD -- in the morning Let me see which way to go -- in the morning
Psalm 143
Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous.
For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah
Answer me speedily, O LORD; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.
I love this song. While the song does not exactly mirror my own experience, I think the music and the lyrics are simply beautiful; they are raw honesty set in poignant poetry.
Each time I listen to it, I find myself longing for it to say a little more, to express a greater measure of hope. To require it of the artist for my sake, however, would be putting words into the mouth of another, feelings into a heart that does not truly hold them. Yes, selfish of me. It's not my song. It's not my place. It's not my life. Yet, I love this song.
❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. ~Proverbs 13:12
Years ago, on the last night of my stay in England, I went for a walk with a young man who showed me the night sky. He pointed to stars that were foreign and invisible to me in my own familiar gazing, and I knew I would only see that slice of the heavens again if I returned there.
With the moon, it is not that way.
Late autumn and winter sunsets are so rich and vivid -- I always want to share them. They change so quickly, though; and being so near the horizon, they can lose their brilliance from the slightest shift in vantage point. Not so easy to share . . .
With the moon, it is not that way.
On any given clear night, I could call and say, "The moon is magnificent. Look at it with me!" If you were clear across the country or only a block away, it would not matter. We would see the very same moon at the very same time. You could "ooh" and I could "aah."
With the moon, it is that way.
Those are the same stars, and that is the same moon,
that look down upon your brothers and sisters,
and which they see as they look up to them,
though they are ever so far away from us, and each other.
Strap yourselves in, my friends, because it's in full swing.
Go ahead! Pretend you don't know what I'm talking about, but I don't buy it.
Yesterday, while I was minding my own shopping business, I wheeled around the first aisle and heard sickeningly familiar strands of music as I reached for my carton of eggs.
"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow . . ." Ugh! Somebody get me my bucket!
Fast on its heels was "Silver Bells," at which point I began to brace myself for the inevitable. "Any minute now," I told myself, "they're going to play -- I can't say it."
I think these boys understand:
Thankfully, I was able to finish my shopping and get out of the doors before they played . . .
the "F" song.
There, I said it.
I warn you, do not click on the "play" button unless you want this tune stuck in your mind for the next four months:
You didn't play it, did you? Well, don't blame me if you find yourself humming it while you prepare Thanksgiving dinner.
Let me help to erase it from your mind: (Starting with the third line, things get a little fun.)
