something beautiful

This song has been running through my mind for the past few days. The imagery of water rushing over me, threatening to overtake me, is palpable.  I particularly like the line: "We can't be sure when it will subside. So I won't leave your side." I think there is something beautiful in that...

Something Beautiful by NeedToBreathe
In your ocean I'm ankle deep
I feel the waves crashing on my feet
It's like I know where I need to be
but I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out
Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide rushes over me
There's only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown?
Will you let me drown?

Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful

And the water is rising quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can't be sure when it will subside
So I won't leave your side
No I can't leave your side

Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful

In a day dream, I couldn't live like this
I wouldn't stop until I found something beautiful
When I wake up, and all I want I have
You know it's still not what I need (something beautiful)

Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful

time for a change

It's been over three years since I left California, which was the last time that I got new glasses. Of course, those glasses that I thought were so trendy and stylish in 2006, broke in half sometime in 2009. As a result, for the past six months I've been wearing my previous glasses (same prescription), circa 2004.

So, as the post title says, it's time for a change. I've been thinking about this for some months and really didn't want to make a bad choice. I knew that I needed a second opinion, and preferably not that of the guy working at the glasses store, or even another dude for that matter. I wanted an opinion from a woman that I knew I could trust...enter my friend Valerie who was willing to spend some of her Saturday helping me out. She did make me try on a few pairs that I would never (read never ever ever) buy. In most cases I obliged.

We also took my camera so that I could see what I looked like in each of the options once I got home. I'm considering going a little bold this time. I can't promise that one of these pairs is it, but its a good start. Let me know what you think...which option do you like best?

Option #1 - "Subtle'n'Bold"

Option #2 - "Edgy Gunmetal"

Option #3 - "Silver Bullet"

Option #4 - "Tortoise and the Hair"

Option #5 - "Hingeless Wonder"

the remarkable ability of music

Do you ever notice that some songs have a unique ability to express the depth of your heart better than any words that you could come up with yourself at a given time or moment? Well, I do. Here's one that has been playing a lot in the past few days, speaking my heart and giving me a bit of hope...

"Your Hands" by JJ Heller
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

the waiting is the hardest part

This morning at Colossae, we opened worship with the song Everlasting God, written by Brenton Brown (and recorded by a whole host of other folks, including my favorite version by Chris Tomlin). It is a simple song based on Isaiah 40:28-31. Since I first heard the song several years ago, it has been one of my favorites. The song opens with the powerfully repetitious stanza: "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. We will wait upon the Lord. We will wait upon the Lord." These words are a beautiful reminder or our need to wait patiently on the One who sustains us.

And yet today, I found it nearly impossible to sing. Not because I doubt the truth that these words express, but because of the sheer difficulty of doing what they say. I often lack the patience needed to wait, for anything. Still, some things are worth waiting for, even if it is difficult. As Tom Petty once sang, "the waiting is the hardest part." 
 
"Everlasting God" (just so you can hear the song)
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles