One reason why I posted that video of that song is because of the words. I especially love the fourth verse, "yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free"! There's something really deep and beautiful about it that flows so calmly with the simple music.
Mr. Tambourine Man
Bob Dylan
Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to.
Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you.
1.
Though I know that evenin's empire has returned into sand,
Vanished from my hand,
Left me blindly here to stand but still not sleeping.
My weariness amazes me, I'm branded on my feet,
I have no one to meet
And the ancient empty street's too dead for dreaming.
Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to.
Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you.
2.
Take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship,
My senses have been stripped,
my hands can't feel to grip,
My toes too numb to step, wait only for my boot heels
To be wanderin'.
I'm ready to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade
Into my own parade, cast your dancing spell my way,
I promise to go under it.
Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to.
Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you.
3.
Though you might hear laughin', spinnin', swingin' madly across the sun,
It's not aimed at anyone, it's just escapin' on the run
And but for the sky there are no fences facin'.
And if you hear vague traces of skippin' reels of rhyme
To your tambourine in time, it's just a ragged clown behind,
I wouldn't pay it any mind, it's just a shadow you're
Seein' that he's chasing.
Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to.
Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you.
4.
Then take me disappearin' through the smoke rings of my mind,
Down the foggy ruins of time, far past the frozen leaves,
The haunted, frightened trees, out to the windy beach,
Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow.
Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free,
Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands,
With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves,
Let me forget about today until tomorrow.
Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to.
Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
I want a date life.
badly.
You're probably thinking, "What on earth has gotten into Michelle!?!?!?" But that's okay, because I totally think that alot. Don't worry, though, my title doesn't mean what you may think it means.
I realized how terribly lacking I am and how much I want a date life after reading a few chapters in the book, "I became a Christian and all I got was this Lousy T-Shirt"*.
You see, the author of this book (Vince Antonucci) writes about when his wife and he first started dating and got married. They had something special- they always wanted to be together. They never got tired of eachother. After work they'd play tennis together and go out to eat together and talk for hours and hours.
After they got married people would ask, "Are you two making sure you have a date night? You have to have a weekly date night!" and they would just laugh behind their backs, because they had a date life.
Then, as time went on and new demands from work and children arose, something happed. He said, "The sense of adventure we once has was being snuffed out by a passionless daily routine. It was all just....disappointing."
After a few years, they realizes things weren't going to "just get better" and they decided to get counseling. The counselor told them that they needed to start doing the things they used to do together- when they had a date life. They needed to make whatever changes they had to so they could start spending quality time together- face to face. It had to be face-to-face.
So, they commited to a weekly date night- focusing on things that would bring them face-to-face. At first, it was awkward, but it gradually gained momentum and soon they once again had a date life.
So what was the point of all this? Vince Antonucci related it the Christian life. He said,
"The Christian life is about living life with Jesus. Living life with Jesus is about abiding in him. To abide means to live within. And so abiding is about living in the presence of: it's about depending on, it's about trusting in, it's about communicating with. To live life with Jesus, I must . . . get my face in front of his face."
He and his wife realized that, "We needed to start having a date night as the foundation upon which we built our date life. A date life was our goal, but a date night was a necessary part of establishing that.
What we're after with God is a life of abiding, a continual state of abiding. But to achieve that I need a concentrated period of abiding at some point in my day."
I want a date life...with Jesus. I want to be continually abiding in him. But more often I'm not! And I think alot of that is due to the fact that I don't always have an established time everday to spend time with Jesus in his word. I've never like the idea of a "quiet time", because it just seems so legalistic, as something to "check off" before getting on with my day, and sometimes it seems like prayer isn't much use. But I think that setting aside a concentrated time of abiding each day is a crucial foundation on which to establish that continual abiding.
Just like the date night was not the goal, it was what they needed to plan in order to get back their date life.
I want a date life. I want to get into the habbit of spending time with Jesus each day, face-to-face. I want to have such a relationship with God that when people remind me to spend time with God each day, I'd just smile, because I spend my entire life with God.
I want a date life. Don't you?
*I want to credit Vince Antonucci with this post, because even when I wasn't quoting him I was paraphrasing him or something! If you ever get a chance to read his book, do so! Seriously.
You're probably thinking, "What on earth has gotten into Michelle!?!?!?" But that's okay, because I totally think that alot. Don't worry, though, my title doesn't mean what you may think it means.
I realized how terribly lacking I am and how much I want a date life after reading a few chapters in the book, "I became a Christian and all I got was this Lousy T-Shirt"*.
You see, the author of this book (Vince Antonucci) writes about when his wife and he first started dating and got married. They had something special- they always wanted to be together. They never got tired of eachother. After work they'd play tennis together and go out to eat together and talk for hours and hours.
After they got married people would ask, "Are you two making sure you have a date night? You have to have a weekly date night!" and they would just laugh behind their backs, because they had a date life.
Then, as time went on and new demands from work and children arose, something happed. He said, "The sense of adventure we once has was being snuffed out by a passionless daily routine. It was all just....disappointing."
After a few years, they realizes things weren't going to "just get better" and they decided to get counseling. The counselor told them that they needed to start doing the things they used to do together- when they had a date life. They needed to make whatever changes they had to so they could start spending quality time together- face to face. It had to be face-to-face.
So, they commited to a weekly date night- focusing on things that would bring them face-to-face. At first, it was awkward, but it gradually gained momentum and soon they once again had a date life.
So what was the point of all this? Vince Antonucci related it the Christian life. He said,
"The Christian life is about living life with Jesus. Living life with Jesus is about abiding in him. To abide means to live within. And so abiding is about living in the presence of: it's about depending on, it's about trusting in, it's about communicating with. To live life with Jesus, I must . . . get my face in front of his face."
He and his wife realized that, "We needed to start having a date night as the foundation upon which we built our date life. A date life was our goal, but a date night was a necessary part of establishing that.
What we're after with God is a life of abiding, a continual state of abiding. But to achieve that I need a concentrated period of abiding at some point in my day."
I want a date life...with Jesus. I want to be continually abiding in him. But more often I'm not! And I think alot of that is due to the fact that I don't always have an established time everday to spend time with Jesus in his word. I've never like the idea of a "quiet time", because it just seems so legalistic, as something to "check off" before getting on with my day, and sometimes it seems like prayer isn't much use. But I think that setting aside a concentrated time of abiding each day is a crucial foundation on which to establish that continual abiding.
Just like the date night was not the goal, it was what they needed to plan in order to get back their date life.
I want a date life. I want to get into the habbit of spending time with Jesus each day, face-to-face. I want to have such a relationship with God that when people remind me to spend time with God each day, I'd just smile, because I spend my entire life with God.
I want a date life. Don't you?
*I want to credit Vince Antonucci with this post, because even when I wasn't quoting him I was paraphrasing him or something! If you ever get a chance to read his book, do so! Seriously.
Monday, April 21, 2008
copy cat art and a dog that is smart.
So last night, at around 9:30, I sat down and began to paint. I've always loved the impressionists, but I can never manage to pull it off myself. I thought perhaps copying another impressionist's work would help me develop my own style. So............
The originial copy of this painting was done by Robert Vonnoh who lived from 1858-1933 and called this picture, "Beside the River". Unfortunately, I couldn't find the original anywhere online. With a oil paints and a sheet of watercolor paper, here is what I came up with:
I painted for 5 hours straight and, when it was finished, I finally went to bed at 2:30am. I just couldn't stop until it was done! By that time, I was covered nearly head to food with smudges of color....there's still a smudge of blue that just won't come off my elbow!
After I took a picture of it and uploaded it, I played around with the colors and thought it looked lovely in sepia tones:
So that's my copy cat art, and now for a dog that is smart. Unfortunately, I don't have one, because my dog apparantly doesn't meet all the qaulifications I set several years ago. These qualifications I set down in poem....a rather ridiculous poem, really. I think perhaps my former idea of smart dog was rather like Mr. Darcy's idea of an accomplished woman.....or not.
A Dog that is Smart
Michelle Bradburn, 2004
He won't chew up the hat
or chase way the cat.
And whenever it's dry;
He'll know not to kick up the dust.
A dog with much knowledge,
Should learn lots in college,
And always to do well
On his math.
He'll be good at division
and have a good vision.
And he should certainly
know how to laugh.
The originial copy of this painting was done by Robert Vonnoh who lived from 1858-1933 and called this picture, "Beside the River". Unfortunately, I couldn't find the original anywhere online. With a oil paints and a sheet of watercolor paper, here is what I came up with:
I painted for 5 hours straight and, when it was finished, I finally went to bed at 2:30am. I just couldn't stop until it was done! By that time, I was covered nearly head to food with smudges of color....there's still a smudge of blue that just won't come off my elbow!
After I took a picture of it and uploaded it, I played around with the colors and thought it looked lovely in sepia tones:
So that's my copy cat art, and now for a dog that is smart. Unfortunately, I don't have one, because my dog apparantly doesn't meet all the qaulifications I set several years ago. These qualifications I set down in poem....a rather ridiculous poem, really. I think perhaps my former idea of smart dog was rather like Mr. Darcy's idea of an accomplished woman.....or not.
A Dog that is Smart
Michelle Bradburn, 2004
A dog that is smart,
Will know not to bark;
When neighbors walk
right past the house.
He won't beg at the table.
And he should be able;
To know to leave lone the shoe;
but never to let by the mouse.
A dog with a brain
Should know in the rain;
When going outside
give no fuss.
When neighbors walk
right past the house.
He won't beg at the table.
And he should be able;
To know to leave lone the shoe;
but never to let by the mouse.
A dog with a brain
Should know in the rain;
When going outside
give no fuss.
He won't chew up the hat
or chase way the cat.
And whenever it's dry;
He'll know not to kick up the dust.
A dog with much knowledge,
Should learn lots in college,
And always to do well
On his math.
He'll be good at division
and have a good vision.
And he should certainly
know how to laugh.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
and peace suprise.
somewhere
in my troubled mind
resting there
perhaps I’ll find
that sweet taste
of mindless peace
that someone paced
and someone ceased.
I thought my eyes had recognized
the love I kept in dreams
but even as I idolized
those eyes were shut it seems.
notes of rainbows
in my ears
where the love flows
falls the tears
even as i breathe the sweet
dry wisteria air
laughter brings me to my feet
to stand upon my chair
sad the sky
it’s weeping so
sweet the tears
that makes love grow
depth of color
the torrents flow
streaks the paint
we’ll never know
dreaming up
i taste the sky
soaking sweet
the miles go by
shades of love
so filled with dreams
caught above
in endless streams
standing still
awhile with me
upon the hill
beside the sea
light unfolding
grace untold
love beholding
joy grown old
with the morning
songs will rise
the colors sing
and peace surprise.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
stuff christians like....
My mum and I have been laughing out loud today at a new favorite blog: Stuff Christians Like.
Some people can write so much in so little, making you laugh and think about deep things at the same time. This guy is terribly good at that- you should check it out. Believe me. Or, if you don't believe me, believe Ragamuffin Soul, who said he is "a master of the tongue and cheek". On the right he's got a list of topics he's written about, which make it wonderfully easy to look around.
Seriously. If you have the time, check it out.
Some people can write so much in so little, making you laugh and think about deep things at the same time. This guy is terribly good at that- you should check it out. Believe me. Or, if you don't believe me, believe Ragamuffin Soul, who said he is "a master of the tongue and cheek". On the right he's got a list of topics he's written about, which make it wonderfully easy to look around.
Seriously. If you have the time, check it out.
Registered to Vote.
Well, not quite yet, but I’m in the process of filling out the form. It’s a bit surreal, actually, because I clearly remember 4 years ago thinking, “Hey, I can vote next election,” and somehow it’s suddenly 2008 and it really doesn’t seem like that much time has passed. And now I just realized Sam is 14, and I said, “hey, you can vote next election!”
weird.
Anyway, I must say I would have been more excited to vote if there was anybody any good running, but apparently there isn’t. I guess that goes to show we can’t put our hope in presidents or countries or anything, really, except the gospel. At least that will never change, and at least the one who loves and saves us is much bigger than America, and the hope he talks about is a much greater reality than the hope that Obama likes to talks about.
I have a little card I found in my Grandma’s attica several years ago, just a little piece of paper yellowing with age, a simple decorative border and a poem under the title, “Unceasing Goodness.” I loved the antiquity of it, but better still are the words that just kinda shine with warmth or something, and every once in a while I turn back to it and and soak in the beautiful words. And though I know politics and that stuff is important and all, let’s just always keep in mind the bigger picture, and I think this poem is right on.
UNCEASING GOODNESS
Clouds drape the world; for God hath been neglected;
And unleashed evil forces seem to win!
The Arch Destroyer’s work may be detected,
For everywhere there stalks unbridled sin.
But God abides! His goodness is unceasing!
His sun still shines! His rain it still doth fall!
The earth its fruits is constantly releasing!
He hears and answers all who on Him call!
Unceasing goodness! Yea, ‘midst all life’s sorrow-
Midst all earth’s travail, tragedy and woe;
With all its dark, and so uncertain morrow-
We may unceasing goodness from Him know.
The flowers still bloom; the trees wear their adorning;
The little birds, untroubled, sweetly sing;
And we, His own, yea, children of the Morning,
Look for the day when Christ shall reign as King.
-J. Danson Smith
weird.
Anyway, I must say I would have been more excited to vote if there was anybody any good running, but apparently there isn’t. I guess that goes to show we can’t put our hope in presidents or countries or anything, really, except the gospel. At least that will never change, and at least the one who loves and saves us is much bigger than America, and the hope he talks about is a much greater reality than the hope that Obama likes to talks about.
I have a little card I found in my Grandma’s attica several years ago, just a little piece of paper yellowing with age, a simple decorative border and a poem under the title, “Unceasing Goodness.” I loved the antiquity of it, but better still are the words that just kinda shine with warmth or something, and every once in a while I turn back to it and and soak in the beautiful words. And though I know politics and that stuff is important and all, let’s just always keep in mind the bigger picture, and I think this poem is right on.
UNCEASING GOODNESS
Clouds drape the world; for God hath been neglected;
And unleashed evil forces seem to win!
The Arch Destroyer’s work may be detected,
For everywhere there stalks unbridled sin.
But God abides! His goodness is unceasing!
His sun still shines! His rain it still doth fall!
The earth its fruits is constantly releasing!
He hears and answers all who on Him call!
Unceasing goodness! Yea, ‘midst all life’s sorrow-
Midst all earth’s travail, tragedy and woe;
With all its dark, and so uncertain morrow-
We may unceasing goodness from Him know.
The flowers still bloom; the trees wear their adorning;
The little birds, untroubled, sweetly sing;
And we, His own, yea, children of the Morning,
Look for the day when Christ shall reign as King.
-J. Danson Smith
Monday, April 7, 2008
Music....
"My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary."
-Martin Luther
"When griping grief the heart doth wound,
and doleful dumps the mind opresses,
then music, with her silver sound,
with speedy help doth lend redress."
-William Shakespeare
"The best, most beautiful, and most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other is by music."
-Jonathan Edwards
"Music is well said to be the speech of angels."
-Thomas Carlyle
"You know what music is? God's little reminder that there's something else besides us in this universe..."
-from August Rush
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