Almost each Monday, Ann Voskamp from www.aholyexperience.com makes a continuing list of things she's grateful for, gifts from the Father. I'm going to start my own list today. Hopefully it will continue as Mondays come and go. Here goes, the start of my list as I make my way to one thousand gifts . . .
1. The sweet innocence of an eight year old boy
2. The brilliance and newness of the morning
3. Swimming in ICY cold water . . . and surviving. :)
4. A long letter from friend
5. Sunday picnic and hike
6. Being given a makeover by a nine year old girl . . . hair and nails included :)
7. Water spurting down clefts and stubborn rock
8. Sweet, yellow dahlias
9. Open access to the mercy seat
10. The prayers thrown upward as church gathers around broken, needy people
Well, I must be off. Work is calling quite shortly. :) May your day be littered with gifts . . .
Yours truly,
just Simply Danae
Monday, August 17, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
"These Are a Few of My Favorite Things"
Well, hello. Happy Saturday! I am so thankful for weekends. My my. Weekends = Blessings. :) Weekends are definitely one of my favorite things. I am so glad that God allowed us and designed us to take some time to rest. Here's a few of my other favorite things that I'd like to share with you:
1) A Holy Experience: earth is crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God -- This has to be one of my FAVORITE websites right now. Practically each morning, normally after a walk with my mom and sister, I check out this website and read Ann Voskamp's daily post. They are beautiful! Ann has such a talented gift to mold and paint words and such a gift to encourage and uplift. She herself is truly beautiful because you can see God shining through her. She writes each weekday and posts one section of writing for the weekend. There's even beautiful, peaceful music to listen to as you read. It's worth checking out; I'm telling ya! :)
2) (in)Courage -- I actually read about this site from Voskamp's website and really like it! Basically, it's a group of women who gather together and post some pieces of writing. It is so uplifting. It's definitely a fav.
3) David Nevue Piano Music - - This man is so talented and his music so peaceful and lovely! Let's just say I'm a fan. :)
4) Balancing Beauty and Bedlam - - Okay, so I haven't had much time to check this website out, but what I've seen thus far, I've so enjoyed! I'm one of those thrifty folks I suppose you could say who enjoys reading about creative ways to keep costs down. I'm in for the small price tag and the big deals. This website is full of cute and fun ideas! This woman's husband has been unemployed for awhile, and she's trying to pinch the pennies as she relies on God during this "God-watch" as she puts it. This is a fun site to visit.
5) Suncatchers, Wildflower in My Heart, & By the Light of a Thousand Stars by Jaime Langston Turner. -- I am such a fan of this author! She is incredible! She's one of the few Christian authors who doesn't seem to feel obligated to twist all of her creations into romantic adventures, which is a personal plus! I also really enjoy her work because of her writing style! She's incredible!!! I still remember some descriptions she used in her books, like when she mentioned the moon being a bowl of cream and a husky voice that she described as being the kind where you feel like you have to clear your throat for the other person's voice. :) Her characters are so developed as well. She's definitely one of my favorite authors!
6) Bethany Dillon music -- This girl is lovely. In many ways, I think we're a lot alike. She's actually releasing a new C.D. in the very near future. If you click on the link, you can go to her MySpace page and listen to some of her music. The first song on there, "Everyone To Know," is one that I like much. I like her style, and in most of her songs, her words are very deep, thought out. Another song you can listen to there is "Clinging to the Cross" - - that's another great one! "Change" is one of my favorites by her as well. The lyrics are great!
7) Ephesians -- This is a book I've been trying to study lately. I have a New Testament in the form of a magazine that I have been reading Ephesians in lately. I've been able to circle words and underline them and write notes, which has really helped me digest it better. I must be a visual person? :) It's been nice to just focus on one book and read it and reread it several times.
Well, these are but a few of my "favorite" things. Maybe I'll share some more another time? May your day be embedded with blessings. :) Smile today!
Yours truly,
just Simply Danae
1) A Holy Experience: earth is crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God -- This has to be one of my FAVORITE websites right now. Practically each morning, normally after a walk with my mom and sister, I check out this website and read Ann Voskamp's daily post. They are beautiful! Ann has such a talented gift to mold and paint words and such a gift to encourage and uplift. She herself is truly beautiful because you can see God shining through her. She writes each weekday and posts one section of writing for the weekend. There's even beautiful, peaceful music to listen to as you read. It's worth checking out; I'm telling ya! :)
2) (in)Courage -- I actually read about this site from Voskamp's website and really like it! Basically, it's a group of women who gather together and post some pieces of writing. It is so uplifting. It's definitely a fav.
3) David Nevue Piano Music - - This man is so talented and his music so peaceful and lovely! Let's just say I'm a fan. :)
4) Balancing Beauty and Bedlam - - Okay, so I haven't had much time to check this website out, but what I've seen thus far, I've so enjoyed! I'm one of those thrifty folks I suppose you could say who enjoys reading about creative ways to keep costs down. I'm in for the small price tag and the big deals. This website is full of cute and fun ideas! This woman's husband has been unemployed for awhile, and she's trying to pinch the pennies as she relies on God during this "God-watch" as she puts it. This is a fun site to visit.
5) Suncatchers, Wildflower in My Heart, & By the Light of a Thousand Stars by Jaime Langston Turner. -- I am such a fan of this author! She is incredible! She's one of the few Christian authors who doesn't seem to feel obligated to twist all of her creations into romantic adventures, which is a personal plus! I also really enjoy her work because of her writing style! She's incredible!!! I still remember some descriptions she used in her books, like when she mentioned the moon being a bowl of cream and a husky voice that she described as being the kind where you feel like you have to clear your throat for the other person's voice. :) Her characters are so developed as well. She's definitely one of my favorite authors!
6) Bethany Dillon music -- This girl is lovely. In many ways, I think we're a lot alike. She's actually releasing a new C.D. in the very near future. If you click on the link, you can go to her MySpace page and listen to some of her music. The first song on there, "Everyone To Know," is one that I like much. I like her style, and in most of her songs, her words are very deep, thought out. Another song you can listen to there is "Clinging to the Cross" - - that's another great one! "Change" is one of my favorites by her as well. The lyrics are great!
7) Ephesians -- This is a book I've been trying to study lately. I have a New Testament in the form of a magazine that I have been reading Ephesians in lately. I've been able to circle words and underline them and write notes, which has really helped me digest it better. I must be a visual person? :) It's been nice to just focus on one book and read it and reread it several times.
Well, these are but a few of my "favorite" things. Maybe I'll share some more another time? May your day be embedded with blessings. :) Smile today!
Yours truly,
just Simply Danae
"I ask the Father in His great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through His Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God's holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love-- how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:16-19 NCV
Ephesians 3:16-19 NCV
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Refined
I've been taught much lately. (Yes, I could have said that I'm learning a lot, but truth is I'm learning bit by bit, and I have been taught much more than I can handle at this point. I must take it in sip by sip.) I'm hanging out with two kiddos this summer, babysitting the girl and "chauffeuring" the boy as he puts it. smile. Truth is, it's probably one of the toughest jobs I've ever taken on, and I'm not referring to grunt work. I'm talking about love work. . .
These kids are beautiful. God's stamp and signature are written deep within their souls. They're strong kids, tough. Tender hearts are hidden behind callouses and raised walls. I've often been told when it was time for me to leave, that I'm a "good-good," that I'm no fun. I'm their target practice when they want to throw hasty, hot words as sharpened darts. I love to love people, . . . when they love me back, when they blanket me with words of gratitude and gifts of love. But LOVE is a trek uphill when it is not returned. [Though I must add, . . . small signs of love do occasionally spring to the surface, and I drink deeply] And believe you me, the trek is steep and rocky. But maybe, just maybe, Jesus is trying to whisper something in my ear. Maybe He's letting me know that He loves me, even when it hasn't been easy. When I've thrown up questioning words, when I haven't been grateful, when I've ran and hid in other shelters besides Him, when I've sought other avenues of pleasure to feed my hungry loneliness than to find fellowship in Him. Ouch. That cuts deeply. I need to think about that more . . . I know that's an old thought, but it's new to me - - when I've stepped into it and felt its heat.
Another thing I'm learning is that I'm VERY defensive. When the sparks fly, I raise my shield. I stand up. I fight back. I don't want to be falsely accused. I don't want to be the bad guy. Hmm . . . I'm so far from where I should be. There are so many places in me that don't look like Jesus (and that's one of them). The places are rough and ragged, unkept. But I'm so glad Jesus is bringing them to the surface. One of my Bible teachers at the school I attend constantly told us how Jesus has to bring the bad stuff up so He could wipe it away as it is done with gold for it to be refined. There's a lot of junk in me that must be brought up so it can be removed.
Well, these are a few of the things that I'm in the process of learning. I have a lot more to take in, to swallow. Inch by inch, step by step. :) Please forgive this somewhat sporatic post. :) blah :) haha :) Have a gorgeous day! May you sparkle, . . . like beautiful, refined gold. :)
Yours truly,
just Simply Danae
These kids are beautiful. God's stamp and signature are written deep within their souls. They're strong kids, tough. Tender hearts are hidden behind callouses and raised walls. I've often been told when it was time for me to leave, that I'm a "good-good," that I'm no fun. I'm their target practice when they want to throw hasty, hot words as sharpened darts. I love to love people, . . . when they love me back, when they blanket me with words of gratitude and gifts of love. But LOVE is a trek uphill when it is not returned. [Though I must add, . . . small signs of love do occasionally spring to the surface, and I drink deeply] And believe you me, the trek is steep and rocky. But maybe, just maybe, Jesus is trying to whisper something in my ear. Maybe He's letting me know that He loves me, even when it hasn't been easy. When I've thrown up questioning words, when I haven't been grateful, when I've ran and hid in other shelters besides Him, when I've sought other avenues of pleasure to feed my hungry loneliness than to find fellowship in Him. Ouch. That cuts deeply. I need to think about that more . . . I know that's an old thought, but it's new to me - - when I've stepped into it and felt its heat.
Another thing I'm learning is that I'm VERY defensive. When the sparks fly, I raise my shield. I stand up. I fight back. I don't want to be falsely accused. I don't want to be the bad guy. Hmm . . . I'm so far from where I should be. There are so many places in me that don't look like Jesus (and that's one of them). The places are rough and ragged, unkept. But I'm so glad Jesus is bringing them to the surface. One of my Bible teachers at the school I attend constantly told us how Jesus has to bring the bad stuff up so He could wipe it away as it is done with gold for it to be refined. There's a lot of junk in me that must be brought up so it can be removed.
Well, these are a few of the things that I'm in the process of learning. I have a lot more to take in, to swallow. Inch by inch, step by step. :) Please forgive this somewhat sporatic post. :) blah :) haha :) Have a gorgeous day! May you sparkle, . . . like beautiful, refined gold. :)
Yours truly,
just Simply Danae
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Waiting for the Whisper
The evening service at my church recently focused on the Junior Camp that my church had put on the previous week. The service provided a place for campers and counselors to share songs and memories. I can't tell you how gross I felt inside as I witnessed the service, the memories. You see, this was the first year in a long time that I couldn't go. I've gone since I was going into the 5th grade, and last year, I officially "graduated." I can't even express to you how awful part of this week was. I felt like I was SUPPOSE to be there, but I couldn't be. Camp was the week set apart. It was a time where I could get away from the stereotypical danae kids see at school. I could relax and love and laugh and breathe deeply and live deeply. It was a time where I could meet Jesus again. Where I could see His fingerprints on thick bark of strong, towering trees and in the lives of speakers. It was where I could be "athletic," where I could try my best, and it would be good enough. It was a place I was admired and loved. It was, well . . . set apart. It was a place for revival.
I think another reason it's so hard is partly the fact that I've really seen some beautiful revival in the lives of some of my friends, and I figure that if I could have only went to camp . . . maybe that same revival would stir within me. It seems as if my friends' souls have been whirled and stirred so intensely by the Spirit of God. And me? Well, the Spirit's wind has felt oh so silent lately. Quiet. Vacant. I've tried to lay down on the dirt and blow the dust, hoping to stir within me some "revival," something to prove that God's still active within me, that I'm real. Not a fake. But the dust is thick. Stubborn. Still. Jesus, where are you? You promised You'd never leave, and I believe You. but I'm struggling with this barren dirt. This dry, desolate wasteland within my soul. Where's the windstorm? Where's the hurricane? Where's the proof that I'm still important? That I'm still on Your team? And then? Then, I lay my face down on the dust. My tears seep through the earth. My ear is suctioned against the specks of ground. And then I remember. The Whisper. It wasn't in fire or storm or fury that God spoke to Elijah. It was in . . . a whisper. Oh Jesus, I'm waiting for Your whisper. I'm waiting for the rain to soak this thirsty ground. Please, please reach down Your hand. I .. . . trust . . . You.
I am a traveler. Sometimes the paths get dusty and the soul gets weary. Do you know what I'm talking about? But I KNOW what's gotta be on the other side of this. So I trek on. I wait for that whisper. It's gotta be coming. It will. One of my friends gave me a reference to Deuteronomy 8 lately, and one of the verses there talks about how God made the Israelites hungry so He could feed them manna. Interesting thought, huh? . . . that sometimes God makes us hungry so He can feed us and feed us what we need too.
Well, I hope your day is beautiful. :) Keep your ear to the ground, and You'll hear God's steps and His whisper.
Yours truly,
just Simply Danae
I think another reason it's so hard is partly the fact that I've really seen some beautiful revival in the lives of some of my friends, and I figure that if I could have only went to camp . . . maybe that same revival would stir within me. It seems as if my friends' souls have been whirled and stirred so intensely by the Spirit of God. And me? Well, the Spirit's wind has felt oh so silent lately. Quiet. Vacant. I've tried to lay down on the dirt and blow the dust, hoping to stir within me some "revival," something to prove that God's still active within me, that I'm real. Not a fake. But the dust is thick. Stubborn. Still. Jesus, where are you? You promised You'd never leave, and I believe You. but I'm struggling with this barren dirt. This dry, desolate wasteland within my soul. Where's the windstorm? Where's the hurricane? Where's the proof that I'm still important? That I'm still on Your team? And then? Then, I lay my face down on the dust. My tears seep through the earth. My ear is suctioned against the specks of ground. And then I remember. The Whisper. It wasn't in fire or storm or fury that God spoke to Elijah. It was in . . . a whisper. Oh Jesus, I'm waiting for Your whisper. I'm waiting for the rain to soak this thirsty ground. Please, please reach down Your hand. I .. . . trust . . . You.
I am a traveler. Sometimes the paths get dusty and the soul gets weary. Do you know what I'm talking about? But I KNOW what's gotta be on the other side of this. So I trek on. I wait for that whisper. It's gotta be coming. It will. One of my friends gave me a reference to Deuteronomy 8 lately, and one of the verses there talks about how God made the Israelites hungry so He could feed them manna. Interesting thought, huh? . . . that sometimes God makes us hungry so He can feed us and feed us what we need too.
Well, I hope your day is beautiful. :) Keep your ear to the ground, and You'll hear God's steps and His whisper.
Yours truly,
just Simply Danae
Friday, August 7, 2009
Mason Jars
I wish I had some long, oak shelves of mason jars in my bedroom. You know what I'd fill them with? Memories, tastes, smells, dreams. And when I felt discouraged or disheartened, I'd unscrew a jar's lid ever so slowly and taste a summer watermelon, listen to a classmate's laugh, feel once again the outpouring of love shown on my last birthday, relive a valentine date night with my dad. Remember. I know memories can rarely be contained, but if they could be captured in simple containers, mason jars would be scattered around my room, near my bed, on top of my windowsill, lined up on the floor. Here's some of the things that would quietly and joyously be slipped within glass jars . . .
Times when I've laughed so hard with my sister that I've struggled to breathe, watching my classmates in school as they laugh and joke and live, being surprised on birthdays, the sleepover with my friends from church and the showering of prayer that was poured over me there, watching Left Behind 3 with my cousins and jumping when the car exploded (even though we knew it was coming), times when my family and I played Dutch Blitz together, my church's Christmas pageant and the unity that it brought, tying together a wounded church and wounded people, going to a Music Festival in Washington and hearing hundreds of kids (me included) lifting up voices to praise the One who sings over us, Yahweh, the precious moment on this past year's Good Friday when I was at a church service, broken and torn and feeling so unworthy and dirty and yet I felt a very real impression of Jesus, the impression of proven love on a wooden cross. Of course, these are only a tiny speck of hundreds of memories that I'd try to capture if I could. Maybe I'll share some more in future posts. For now, I'll just remember them. I'll capture them in words and phrases and try to remember, to relive in my childlike mind.
Anyway, have a beautiful day today! Remember that life isn't always about the big things, the big money, the big status, the big experiences, . . . sometimes, it's all about the little things. It's about the memories inlaid in our dusty journey. May you make more beautiful memories today as you walk hand in hand with the Maker of the Stars.
Yours truly,
Simply Danae
Times when I've laughed so hard with my sister that I've struggled to breathe, watching my classmates in school as they laugh and joke and live, being surprised on birthdays, the sleepover with my friends from church and the showering of prayer that was poured over me there, watching Left Behind 3 with my cousins and jumping when the car exploded (even though we knew it was coming), times when my family and I played Dutch Blitz together, my church's Christmas pageant and the unity that it brought, tying together a wounded church and wounded people, going to a Music Festival in Washington and hearing hundreds of kids (me included) lifting up voices to praise the One who sings over us, Yahweh, the precious moment on this past year's Good Friday when I was at a church service, broken and torn and feeling so unworthy and dirty and yet I felt a very real impression of Jesus, the impression of proven love on a wooden cross. Of course, these are only a tiny speck of hundreds of memories that I'd try to capture if I could. Maybe I'll share some more in future posts. For now, I'll just remember them. I'll capture them in words and phrases and try to remember, to relive in my childlike mind.
Anyway, have a beautiful day today! Remember that life isn't always about the big things, the big money, the big status, the big experiences, . . . sometimes, it's all about the little things. It's about the memories inlaid in our dusty journey. May you make more beautiful memories today as you walk hand in hand with the Maker of the Stars.
Yours truly,
Simply Danae
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
My Very First
As the cursor blinks and a blank page prods black lines and dots and spaces, my mind starts blanking out as to how I should begin my very first blog. So, I guess this is the way it will begin. smile. :)
I have no idea where I'll take this little room of space, but I'd love it if you'd follow along with me! I hope this to be a place where I share corners of my messy, desperate, beautiful life, as well as my journey of learning to walk hand in hand with the Maker of the Stars. And I want you to know now that I am truly nothing, just simply Danae, but in the power of Love Himself, I stand as a child, held up with hands that bare nail scars. So, enough said. :) I have officially begun a blog . . .
(Aren't you proud of me, Christina Marie?!)
Yours truly,
Simply Danae
I have no idea where I'll take this little room of space, but I'd love it if you'd follow along with me! I hope this to be a place where I share corners of my messy, desperate, beautiful life, as well as my journey of learning to walk hand in hand with the Maker of the Stars. And I want you to know now that I am truly nothing, just simply Danae, but in the power of Love Himself, I stand as a child, held up with hands that bare nail scars. So, enough said. :) I have officially begun a blog . . .
(Aren't you proud of me, Christina Marie?!)
Yours truly,
Simply Danae
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