Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

I've been surprised over the years how few teenagers have heard (much less sung) the old hymns, especially of Christmas. When I taught in California I included a unit wherein the students would analyze and recite the lyrics of various Christmas hymns. Usually by the end of the unit, the students had a new appreciation for the beauty and theology of the music that is too easily overlooked by a generation not used to quietly pondering the profound.

This year I took a slightly different approach. Since my sophomores needed to study short stories, I decided to make the hymn analysis a parallel assignment. They researched their assigned hymns, learned what they could about the authors and their motivations for writing. They also had to connect the hymn to Scripture. Then, as a twist, they had to use what they learned about the essence of short stories and create a story about the hymns they were assigned. All of the stories were creative and informative, but one student's was so beautifully written that I asked whether I could share it. It really isn't a short story, but it is a lovely reflection for Christmas.

Like a Blooming Rose
Mary Kelling

It was the time prophesied by the ages. A place had been chosen by a careful father. All creation lay silent, for it knew what had come. The stars even sang of its glory. A tearful mother cradled her newborn baby, and a proud step-father watched in awe. All of time had been preparation for this night. This night would change the world forever. Never would a more controversial child be born than this. This child would live, die, and rise for a change. This child would preach to hundreds of thousands. This child would heal the lame, sick, and blind. This child would fill the lungs of a dead man with life. This child would prove the prophets of old and discredit the Pharisees of new. This child would turn water into wine and sweat blood. This child would be sentenced to die, although no fault could be found with him. This child would rise from the dead, and this child would ascend into heaven. This child changed the course of history, but this child came without a sound. All of history had happened simply to pave the road this child would walk on. He was a child that had been anticipated for hundreds of years, since the dawn of time. Like a rose gently breaks the earth, stretches towards the sky, opens itself fully, and dies; so did this child.

The Shack

It seems everywhere I turn Wm. Paul Young's new-ish book, The Shack, comes up as a topic of conversation. No one could really tell the story, but everyone talked about how profound it was. I figured I should probably read it, so I checked it out at the library yesterday afternoon. I finished it this morning (all 248 pages plus acknowledgments, credits, and review clips.)

It is an "other-worldly" book; I can't describe it any better than most. While I doubt it will have the same impact as Pilgrim's Progress, as Eugene Peterson says, I do think it's a book worthy of reading--more than once. Young approaches our perception of God in a unique way. I tend to be suspicious of authors who try to make God approachable and "human", but Young manages to walk the line between the Word and the Inconceivable without falling into heresy or silliness. Just as I thought he was headed into a doctrinal misstep, he came around with an answer that brought him back in line with fundamental theology.

I haven't read many fiction books that made me think the way this one does. I plan to read it again--more slowly now that I know the story line. There are nuggets there that I breezed past with the intent of going back to ponder more carefully. Lines like this: Paradigms power perception and perceptions power emotions. (197) And this: Being always transcends appearance--that which only seems to be. (112)

The book is not hard to read, but the concepts it contains will take a long time to fully explore. I'm glad I read it right before Christmas; it gives me a fresh look at Emmanuel, God with us.

Kreative Blogger award

Well, now how much fun it this? I have been chosen by a fellow artist as one of her seven Kreativ Bloggers!

So, now I get to share seven things I love and pass the award along to seven other bloggers. So, here goes nothing:

Seven things I love

1. God! Without Jesus I am nothing.

2. My husband--even when he makes me crazy.

3. My girls--even when THEY drive me crazy!

4. The ocean's roar and the wind in the trees (okay, I cheated and snuck two in there.)

5. MUSIC (see previous post about that)

6. Learning. As a teacher, I find I learn ALL the time. As an artist I find new ways to learn.

7. My studio (aka my sanctuary). When I close the door I enter my own world.

Seven Award winners...this is hard, because the people who inspire me are so far beyond me in talent and vision that I feel a little bit like a movie extra handing out Oscars or Golden Globes. In any case, take a look at these fabulous blogs:

Heidi Arfstrom http://stampingwithwings.blogspot.com/
Melanie Smith http://www.smartie-artie.blogspot.com/
Sherre Hulbert http://sherresartmusings.blogspot.com/
Michelle A-Z http://www.atozdesigns.com/bunnyz/index.html
Marcia Mattos http://www.marciamattos.blogspot.com/
Fabrizio Martellucci http://www.craftingmad.blogspot.com/
Shelly Newkirk http://shellysblog-ne.blogspot.com/

And there you have it: seven incredibly talented bloggers with a variety of styles for you to visit for inspiration. Let them know I sent you there!

Gee, can I say I have an "award-winning" blog now?

Thanks Sharon! (check out her blog, too: http://www.mystoryart.com/)

des Morgens ist Freude

During 2008 I took an online workshop through a book by Mary Todd Beam called Celebrate Your Creative Self. While time didn't allow me to participate in every activity, I learned a tremendous amount. This is my "final exam" piece, a mixed media collage using tissue paper, construction paper, photocopied letters, magazine pages, acrylic paint, glazing medium, mica powders, and Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel.

I created this for the JFBC "Glimpses of His Glory" gallery. The theme for this exhibition is "Joy." From the first moment I heard the theme, I knew that I would use Psalm 30:5 as my inspiration verse. An old song by the group Glad went through my head the whole time I created. The piece took me much longer than I anticipated, but I think the end result communicates my message.

Here is the write up that will accompany my artwork in the gallery:

Psalm 30:5b Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.

No one escapes this life without sorrow. In a sinful world, there is no escape from its influence or from its consequences. The believer, however, has the hope of knowing that God is with him through the trials no matter how tragic. God's understands the deepest and cruelest sorrow, and sends the Hold Spirit to be Comforter during those difficult days, however long they may last.

Martin Luther's 1545 translation of Psalm 30:5 concludes: ...des Morgens ist Freude: ...the morning is joy. Just as the darkest night always ends with sunrise, every believer's sorrow always ends with joy. Joy from sorrow? Only because of Christ can boundless joy proceed from the darkess sorrow. Only in Christ is it possible for believers to endure the weeping of the night with the hope that joy will rise with the dawn.

This Christmas season is the ideal time to remember God's promise that HE offers hope, and no matter what the sorrow of the night may be, the morning is joy.

The Holy-day Season

I love this time of year. I love the lights, the decorations, the music---everything. Usually I make batches of cards to send out, but this year I just can't seem to settle on a design. So, this year, I'll send one-of-a-kind cards to many of my friends. I did take a short cut for those who prefer pictures to handcrafted cards by creating a photo-card, so everyone will have an idea what we're up to this year.

This particular card features a stamp from The Angel Company, stamped in red and then embossed with clear glittered embossing powder. The background papers are Bazzill, and the brads from my stash. I like this stamp because it is not necessarily Christmas, but it does capture the mood of the season.

I'll share more as the month rolls along.

Thanksgiving Day 2008

I could not have asked for a better day. The family was together, the food delicious, and the atmosphere joyful. We enjoyed all the things we love: Macy's parade on television, ambrosia, pecan pie, taking a plateful to our friend, Frank (who works two security jobs and always works holidays), and ending the day with The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

These are the days that make for long term memories, and I am grateful for each one of them. God is good!

Attitude of Gratitude Day Ten

Today we began what we hope will become a tradition for our family. We went to Stone Mountain, GA as a family and just had fun. We hiked to the top of the rock and back down, watched a 4-D version of The Polar Express, took a train ride around the rock, saw a gospel presentation by "Aunt Grace," laughed at a comedic retelling of A Christmas Carol, viewed a holiday laser light show, and ended the evening with a Snow Angel's magic and fireworks.

Altogether, it was a wonderful day. Today, then I am grateful for family. My husband and my girls are God's gift to me, and I cherish the days we have together. We are so blessed to be healthy and happy and together this year. I am grateful for these happy times because I truly understand how precious they are. Memories like the ones we made today will be with me forever.

Attitude of Gratitude Day Nine

Tuesday nights are rehearsals with the Cobb Symphony Chorus, so it is only fitting that today I choose to be grateful for MUSIC.

I can't remember a time in my life when music didn't move me. I love to sing it. I love to hear it. I love to be challenged by it and soothed by it. Music communicates at the soul level. Lyrics and melody and chord structure and rhythm and instrumentation all must be in perfect synchronicity for the musician's message to be fully understood. In some pieces, the connections are obvious: Handel's Hallelujah Chorus is unmistakably a song of rejoicing to all of the western world. Country songs are almost notorious for matching tune to lyric in the simplest way. Even some of the rock music of the 1970s and early 80s match so well that both the lyric and the instrumentation stand alone to communicate a message.

Other times that connection is so subtle that is may be missed in the first several hearings. Poulenc's Gloria at first gives new meaning to "make a joyful NOISE," but after rehearsing it for several weeks, I am learning to see the connections between the unusual rhythms and chord structures to the familiar Latin words. Laudamus Te is so joyful that it may appear irreverant at first. Domine Deus has so many awkward transitions, key changes, and chromaticisms that it is uncomfortable to sing. Yet, considering the meaning of the words (You who bears the sin of mankind, be merciful to us. Hear our prayer), the composition makes perfect sense. Sin is supposed to be uncomfortable. The Savior was born to die for our sins. Somehow a lyrical melody just isn't right for that message. This movement mimics the tears and brokenness of the truly repentant before resolving in the next movement: Qui Sedes Ad Dexteram Patris (Jesus enthroned at the right hand of God.) Worship meets mercy. Amen.

One of my favorite sayings is this:

"Bach gave us God's Word.

Mozart gave us God's laughter.

Beethoven gave us God's fire.

God gave us music that we might pray without words."

(source unknown)

Today, and every day, I am grateful for music.

Attitude of Gratitude Day Eight

Today's gratitude theme is an easy one: family dinners! With Carrie off at college and the rest of us running hither and yon most days, sit down family dinners are a treat. We are a pretty goofy family, so there's no predicting where the conversation will go. One thing is certain: there will be laughter.

I am so glad that God has protected our family through all the highs and lows of the last 10 years. We are blessed to be able to come together with laughter.

Attitude of Gratitude Day Seven

It's late, but that's okay, because I was celebrating the holiday season with my girlfriends from the scrapbook store where I worked for the last year or so. The store closed three weeks ago, but we have become friends and wanted to celebrate together.

So, with that in mind, today I am grateful for Girlfriends! I have been blessed with girlfriends in a multitude of places, and each set is unique:

There are my neighborhood girlfriends whom I play tennis with (okay, mostly I cheer them on) and celebrate birthdays with. (And with our group, there is usually at least one birthday to celebrate with lunch each month.)

Then there are my scrapbook/stamping girlfriends. We all share a passion for preserving memories and creating beautiful things for the benefit of others. We laugh an awful lot, too!

There are my online girlfriends. I may never meet some of them in person, but those relationships build and grow and sometimes are a support group when one member goes through trials. Online friends can be an objective sounding board or just a safe place to vent frustrations and share joys. Some of my online girlfriends are prayer warriors, and it is wonderful to know that we can pray for one another across miles, across continents, and across oceans.

Church girlfriends are always special. We may only see them once a week, but at least we know we share a faith and an eternity. These are the girlfriends I work with and serve with and minister with.

And finally there are the "BFFs." In the contemporary vernacular, "best friend forever" is almost flippant and cliche. But once or twice in a lifetime, there are girlfriends who see beyond the surface to the marrow of the bones. These are the girlfriends who are there through thick and thin. Distance doesn't matter. Time doesn't matter. These girlfriends are the special gift from God to keep us grounded and real and authentic. There is a unique bond in this friendship, and I am so grateful that God has given me just that kind of friend. We may be 2600 miles apart and we may be impossibly busy, but we are connected by heartstrings and will truly be "best friends forever."

Isn't it wonderful how God meets all our relational needs--even the ones for birthday lunches and tennis matches? Friendship is a gift...and I am grateful for my girlfriends!