In the Father's Embrace.

This has been a powerful painting for me:

painting title: In the Father's Embrace

http://councell.net
© Ruth Tietjen Councell
Updated 13 August 2009

i wrote a song a few weeks ago. these are the lyrics:

Tears fall like rain, running down my windowpane

They flow from eyes, like clouds full of sighs

They sound, they sound, like never-ending footsteps on the ground

I let go, I let go, of the dreams that I held dearly

Even though I don’t see clearly,

Because I don’t know if you will ever be mine.

But I trust the One who knows what’s best for us.

And I know He’s good and loves us both so much.

And His arms are holding us through the night

And His strength is pulling us through the fight.

So I say, I say, Goodbye.

I’m laying you down

I’m laying you down

I’m laying us down

At His feet.

Twenty-Four.

The Switchfoot song, "Twenty-Four" comes to mind as I celebrate twenty-four years of life today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6rHbv7H5AA&playnext=1&list=PL32612EBB6EB29D3B

Twenty-four oceans
Twenty-four skies
Twenty-four failures
And twenty-four tries
Twenty-four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
With twenty-four drop outs
At the end of the day

Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty-four hours ago
Still I'm singing 'Spirit,
take me up in arms with You'
And I'm not who I thought I was
Twenty-four hours ago
Still I'm singing 'Spirit,
take me up in arms with You'

There's twenty-four reasons
To admit that I'm wrong
With all my excuses
Still twenty-four strong

See, I'm not copping out
Not copping out
Not copping out
When you're raising the dead in me

Oh, oh
I am the second man
Oh, oh
I am the second man now
Oh, I am the second man now
And you're raising these...

Twenty-four voices
With twenty-four hearts
All of my symphonies
In twenty-four parts
But I want to be one today
Centered and true
I'm singing 'Spirit take me up in arms with You'
You're raising the dead in me

Oh, oh
I am the second man
Oh, oh
I am the second man now
Oh
I am the second man now
And you're raising the dead in me
Yeah

I wanna see miracles
To see the world change
Wrestled the angel for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You'
And you're raising the dead in me

Twenty-four oceans
With twenty-four hearts
All of my symphonies
With twenty-four parts
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty-four hours ago
Still I'm singing 'Spirit,
take me up in arms with You'
I'm not copping out
Not copping out

The Solid Rock by Edward Mote

I love hymns, and the stories behind hymns...came across the story behind "The Solid Rock."

I like the images that this song depicts of Christ as the solid Rock and as the Anchor.

(This is a picture of Agios Stefanos: a famous monastery on top of the grey rocks of Meteora, Greece)

http://articles.ochristian.com/article6027.shtml

1. My hope is built on nothing less
   Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
   I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
   But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
   • Refrain:
     On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
     All other ground is sinking sand,
     All other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
   I rest on His unchanging grace;
   In every high and stormy gale,
   My anchor holds within the veil.
3. His oath, His covenant, His blood
   Support me in the whelming flood;
   When all around my soul gives way,
   He then is all my hope and stay.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
   Oh, may I then in Him be found;
   Dressed in His righteousness alone,
   Faultless to stand before the throne.

I am struck by the original lyrics of this song and of the two stanzas that are usually omitted:

" The "Solid Rock" text was written in 1834, and Mote titled it, "The Gracious Experience of a Christian." The completed hymn text originally consisted of six stanzas. Expressions from portions of these two omitted verses are interesting to observe:

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

'Midst all the hell I feel within, on His completed work I lean.

I trust His righteous character, His council, promise, and His power;

His honor and His name's at stake, to save me from the burning lake."

After Watching 127 Hours.

I just came home from watching 127 Hours at the dollar theater with my roommate, Maling. I really liked it amidst the gruesome parts- not just for the picturesque landscapes, amazing cinematography and soundtrack, and my fellow Bruin Class of 2008 grad, James Franco, but also for the story of human resiliency. It's quite amazing to see what determination, endurance, and strength Aron Ralston displays in order to survive being stuck in a canyon for 127 hours. Gives so much hope.

I think I've become more fascinated with movies without very much dialogue such as 127 hours, Wall-E, or Cast Away, and how these movies can captivate the audience's attention and emotions even without many words. It's ironic that I want to be a writer, and yet I'm learning more about the value of wordlessness. Images and music have been so powerful for me recently, especially in my prayer times with the Lord. There are times when I'm so tired, I don't really have words, or there are just no words that can express the things in my heart. Sometimes songs or pictures come to mind which have been helpful in expression. I guess that's why there's the cliche saying that "A Picture is worth a 1000 words." and as Victor Hugo said,“Music expresses that which can not be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”

I'm looking forward to seeing Explosions in the Sky in concert with my brother because they are an amazing instrumental band.

The Story Behind "How He Loves Us"

The story behind this song just makes me love this song even more:

http://vimeo.com/10868953

I am starting to really like John Mark McMillan's album the The Song Inside the Sounds of Breaking Down. Too bad they don't sell this album anymore :(

I want to see this guy play live...

On that note, I saw Charlie Hall play at Biola last Sunday. Good study break from reading for Historical Theology with Wade and Andrew :)

And he played "Marvelous Light." It was great.