Contentment

Among the other projects I am musing over and working on, the spark of a new one has sprung. There is no surprise that much of art blossoms from that which is passionate. Strong emotion lends itself to verse and symbol. It is easy for me to put pen to blank page when I am bubbling with inner angst, or seething with a rage demanding a cipher, or even when my heart is fluttering with new love. But, what of a passionate contentment? What of an unbridled peace? What of exuberant tranquility of spirit? Has this ground been covered?

My mind swings to Walden. Others may have trod this ground before I guess. I’m not sure.

Today I feel unshakable. There is nothing driving me. Nothing is exceedingly wrong. Nothing is exceedingly right. In truth I am getting over a lingering cold, and am physically sapped. My family is together plodding through the rough and tough fist months of our third son. We are also musing and sighing at his coos and gurgles. Work is on a tight deadline, and I come home drained. School is a persistent yet fruitful exercise in diligence and good scheduling. Forays into Spiritual Direction have had me anxious. But I am unshakable.

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine! I am the branch attached to the vine. I am vineyard producing good fruit. It just isn’t harvest season, and I am good with that. The verdant young shoots are evident. Everything is promise. I am not just good. I am exceedingly, passionately, exuberantly content.

It isn’t an absence of sin or temptation. It’s just recognition of journey, and refusal to take my eyes off of the truth. A master is at work and its good to be the clay.

The Truth

We fight, we rest
We run, we weep
We grind ourselves up
We turn and turn and turn

He scolds, He holds
He comforts, He molds
He heals, He persists
He stays firm and firm and firm

We learn

Here I Raise My...

Are you ever struck by a word?

I had a moment last spring where a word became a focal point, a harbinger of clarity, a perfect title for a project!

Ebenezer

I've loved the hymn, “O Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” I remember when my worship leader stopped mid verse and asked, "Does anybody know what an Ebenezer is?" He went on to explain that the prophet Samuel had erected a stone on the field of battle after Israel defeated the Philistines to commemorate God's help (1 Samuel 7:12). The word Ebenezer means "stone of help." And to be sure, God's help is an awesome thing to commemorate. But God's help wasn't the concept that grabbed me last spring. It was something else about a stone of help, something in the means and something in the remembering.

Among other duties Christian Artists make Ebenezers. We create that we might remember.

Too easily the memory of God’s faithfulness fades. The prophet who visualizes clearly, “this was important and must be remembered,” is serving well by making a signpost, an object, a remembrance. Maybe it’s a painting, or a song, or a poem, or a verse carved above the door. And maybe, just maybe it is a blog.

There is much much more to say, but here is to good beginnings!