What's Dysfunction

 

I grew up in a dysfunctional home but there are things and people that kept me together throughout my lifetime, one being music. I hope that the music that The Lord has helped me create has strengthen and helped others, I know that the music making process has helped me work out challenging times in my life. Looking back, I want to thank special family members who made my rough times better, often giving me support and everything they had. A place I want to acknowledge is the library. Since I was a young girl, the library has provided me with books and materials that has opened my eyes to the world around me, showing me what I can do, where I can go with God's help.

I appreciate all of this, I just want to say thank you.

Just to give you an update about the Author's Fair last month, it was fun and we had the opportunity to connect with various authors in the Union NJ area. We learned that our book, Leap Over Walls Music will be included in the New Author Collection at the new Union Public Library that will be opening up next year! 

More growth coming for Leap Over Walls Music...Stay Tuned.

Hey Everybody!

(Sing song!) God is  blessing

God is blessing,

Everyday, Every way,

and so I keep  on ringing, 

and in my soul, I keep a singing.

I still here, in His care!

Can't help it,

He's so good to me--

Me and mine will be joining with the Union Public Library, Union NJ

Saturday May 13, 2023

11AM to 1PM 

Come, share my God's dreams for all of us--

Guidance, peace, posterity, health, what you need! He's got!

Be there, See you!

 

Knocks, Blocks, and Rose Gardens

 I told myself I have nothing to say. Myself said to me, "Then why do you write?". The voice within me said, "I must speak, if I cannot sing, then I must speak. For much has been given to me, and I cannot keep it to myself". The old Gospel singers used to say, "I got to run and tell somebody else". And so I'm writing to you about the goodness of the Lord in my life, cause' I can't keep it to myself. 

"A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify. A never dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky" (written by Charles Wesley 1762). 

I wrote My Inner Room years ago. After a few performances I recorded it and filed it in the Leap Over Walls Record collection. To my dismay, when I wanted to air it, I could not find it anywhere. I later wrote about it, without the recording, in my blog May 14, 2020. The lyrics and the music are, however,  included in the Leap Over Walls Book of Lyrics (Which was published in 2005). Sadly, I found out I never recorded it as I thought I had. To me, not recording this particular song was a personal knock to my own collection because it would have been the last chance to be recorded by the original singer (My choral friend who has since passed on). I intend to record it for you as well as for me. So, right now I have a song but not a singer☹. 

My prayer would be to join up with others, an ensemble, who agree with God that His music should be heard and His payday will be their reward. 

Speaking of lumps and bumps, here's a quickie note about yours truly. This past month has been well spent with the Lord (as all time is well spent with the Lord). But, this time was exceptional. My songs, like old friends have come back to visit me, to remind me how great is the faithfulness of God. How closer than a brother is Jesus. Well...I fell down in the house and...I couldn't get up. I wasn't unconscious, I didn't stumble. I guess I just had nothing else to do, so, I fell down. I  couldn't believe I was falling, but down I came. Boom! Certainly glad I was not by myself. My kids struggled valiantly to get me back on my feet while I just as valiantly reassured them I was ok, that is, I felt ok. After being settled in my favorite chair, with my favorite heating pad and my analgesic rub in my favorite places, a couple of pain pills took over the ouchy spots. The family quieted down, and except for a few furtive questions (many, many) about how I felt, I was quietly allowed to enter my Inner Room.

My Inner Room, where healing balm, spiritual meditation, praise to God for being with me as I fell, and for cushioning the hard wooden floors. For having his healing angels in attendance, and touching where I could not touch, for catching and cradling a non-cradling surface. I allowed myself a brief pity party (2-3 minutes). 

Each day I've grown better and as Gene Autry used to sing..."I am back in the saddle again". You youngsters may not recognize this Western old star (Look it up in your FYI file). But, getting back to blocks in the road, here's a few thoughts on that, to encourage you to keep the faith and don't let anything hinder you from doing good. That's what these falls, trips and disappointments are all about. That's their intention, to stop you. Why? You must be doing something right, something God wants you to do, to complete. If God sent you, you must be equipped to do it. So march soldier! Don't let nobody, nothing, no situation, no blocks in the road, real or imagined, slow you down. So your dream may come to a grind, but not to a halt. Keep the squeals in the wheels until the Holy Ghost grease the road.

References: Galatians 6:9                                                                                                                                                  I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, song by Lynn Anderson

Happy Easter, Love to all,                                                                                                                              Lee

Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

Like the little drummer boy, may your giving be the best you have to give. May your Christmas season be loving and kind. May God grant you salvation, health, and great joy as we remember Jesus His son, the One He sent to save us all. 

See Last Christmas Post, Sing A New Song, It's Christmas Time.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone 2021

It is near 1am on Tuesday, and I am telling myself to go back to sleep, you're tired so go to sleep.  But, I can't turn my mind off, and I can't spiritually be still, because God has been so good to me. The praise He is so worthy of, spills over in my heart. My love of God, my Savior Jesus tastes like sugar in my mouth. The more I think about Him and my past journeys with Him, the sweeter is the taste. No wonder the writer wrote, (Psalm 34:8) Taste and see that the Lord is good. It is true, start praising His name and thanking Him for what you know He saved you from and how He brought you thus far. I'm writing this now because my gratitude is like a "fire shut up in my bones". 

Once a Mother of a church I attended, while casually talking to me, said,  "Sister, the Lord don't put it where you can't tell it". I smile now when I remember this conversation, so wise she was. That's part of our walk with God, to tell of our victories and how we got over, with Him alone.

I'm not presenting a new song to you today, though I certainly could. Rather, I am referring you to 2 songs, already posted, for you to hear. To my older readers, please review, The Promise and/or Come Sup With Me. For my new friends, listen to these two songs, so apropos for this season. 

As we look back on this year, we have witness much pain and suffering, along with others who have gained much and prospered. Like Paul in Philippines 4:12,  we have learned to "abound'' and "abase". AND, to still trust God through it all. Those who can give, should give freely, lovingly and with compassion. Those who need, seek assistance. God has not left you alone, you're plight, might even be a test for those who can do, so do well. When giving, let your smile be your only thank you. If in deed, there is a thank you at all. 

Looking at the newspapers, the tv, etc., we see the sacrifice of Jesus' blood was the only blessing that God could give to the world, that would be able to save the world. At this time dear God, thank You for throwing Your cloak of salvation over Your children, thank You for Your love, and the story of Your Love, "The Bible". Thank You for allowing me to call Your holy name and not be struck down for daring to approach Your Throne. Thank you for that piece of You in me, that loves to sing and pray, and cry aloud for the joy of Your Presence. Thank you for this past year, and how You guided my steps and saw my needs without me having to ask or knowing I should ask. So so much, to thank You for, my family, my country(1Timothy 2:1-2), our democracy. Freedom of religion and all that's good, and all those working for God's good things, in God's will. 

Dear Father, thank you for my daily bread and a good night's sleep, Amen.

What Is In Your House

God's word, through us, does not come back to Him void. Meaning empty. His Word, always, accomplishes that which it seeks to accomplish. The Bible says so in Isaiah 55:11 (KJV). How much more encouragement then, do we need to keep the faith and run the race (Ecclesiastes 9:11). We say we believe in God for who He is, if so, then we trust what He says. The only thing left to do is to obey. As the old hymn goes, "...trust and obey, for there is no other way..."(composer J.H. Sammis 1887). 

When preparing to write a blog, I always ask, Father God for a word, or a thought, upon which to base a song I'm presenting e.g. inspiration for what He wants me to say. In the vastness of God Mind space, the word came. Void. Void? Lord, how do I connect up the song, "What Is In Your House?" with void (Maybe I need to pick another song, something more ethereal). 

Let's change gears for just a minute. Don't worry, I'm on track, I just want to interject a new FYI for your interest. I've got something new on board for you this month, something I've long wanted to do. Not only to entertain you with a song, but to allow the story in that song to be so well told that it becomes a message that resonates in your mind for days. A message filled with faith in action. In 2 Kings 4 1-7, we find a woman who has lost "all". She is deep in debt, with 2 children totally dependent, at her side, since her husband has newly died. The bible says that her husband was acquainted with Elisha, so she ran to Elisha. She knew Elisha could get a word to God for her. It is good to know a God-fearing man/woman, because  you know they can get a Word in for you (James 5:16). 

At this time I would like to introduce you to another division of the L.O.W. musical library we call the Music Playhouse. This month our ensemble presents an open book performance of the biblical story of The Woman with the Pot of Oil. We guarantee you will enjoy our effort to enlighten, educate and entertain you.

Re Void. Elisha knew God's word did not return to Him void so he spoke the word for her. Don't you just love it! Yesterday, Today, and Forever. God still answers the prayers of a righteous man. The word is out there for you too. Yes, it seems the load is heavy now and endless, but what does the word say in Joshua 1 6-9, read it. It says be courageous. He is talking to you. He does not have respect of persons... Acts 10 34-35(KJV). So get up, brush yourself off, whatever the dilemma, the situation or problem. God got you! Meditate and pray. He is a problem solver, a fighter for your cause. He knows where your pot of oil is. Bye, til next time.

For the video check the web version of the blog.

Think It Over 'Fore You Do

 What kind of thinking can change, I do to I don't! What kind of thinking can change, Oh, I will, to no! I won't. What kind of thinking would change boys playing with balls, to men fighting with bats, worse still with guns that shoot and maim, with no care or thought. No thought that there is a tomorrow of remorse, or regret. So what if the neighbors are having a party, and it is too loud for you to rest or sleep. You ought to congratulate them for doing something nice. My goodness! buy them a cake and a bottle of wine,  leave it at the door, with a note that is kind, that says, may you have many more...signed, from your neighbor next door. Be part of the pleasure of happy endeavors, give others a chance to be happy-timers, instead of crime head-liners. It must be a very fragile mind set and thinking without structure, to so quickly fly off base and hurt another. 

This song was written years ago when I was working the night shift. With the kids off to school, I had another cup of coffee, and the morning paper in hand. The paper blasted, what seem to be the same news as yesterday, young people in gangs in trouble of all kinds, missing their opportunities, ruining their young lives and spoiling their futures. Having 4 kids, I couldn't help but focus on what the future held for my own children. No matter what the parent does for the child, at one point in time, the child has to pull the reins on his own life directions. Hopefully, God is in his thinking.

Paul the Apostle wrote to the Christians in Philippi, and in his letter, he told them what to think. There are no questions about this verse. How clear. He says..."Think true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, any virtue, any praise, think on those things (Philippians 4:8). 

How many people today would unravel time, to undo a mean word to a loved one, a nasty remark to an official, a demeaning word to a child, and on and on. I read a sermon by very wise minister. He said, an argument is like a feather pillow fight. After the fight, trying to gather up all of the feathers, is a near impossible task, there will always be a few feathers hidden behind some place, in a couch, under a dresser, in a corner, etc. In the future, regardless of when a feather is found, it is bound to make the memory of the fight and the pain come to surface. 

Think It Over 'Fore You Do, is a relationship song. Everyone should be aware of it's meaning. Some  unnecessary breakups, hurt feelings, broken homes, sadden friendships, could be avoided just by thinking first, before you do.

I thought the words important enough to match it with a melody,  to catch your ears. I persuaded my daughter to sing it with me, with my one finger accompaniment. For me to sing must impress you about how much I want you to hear this song. I do it for you my loves, Bye.