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bethany dillon



Last Updated: 11/23/2009

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Status: Single
City: Dallas
State: Texas
Country: US
Signup Date: 7/8/2005

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Monday, September 28, 2009 
Hello friends!

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged a recipe- and for good reason! I've gotten some flack for the brussels sprouts. :) All I'm sayin is, don't judge till you try it.

Anyway... I wanted to post another easy, quick, yummy Asian side-dish for you...I mean, come on, who doesn't like green beans? Sometimes I just make this as a meal, too. I'm actually eating it for lunch today! :)

Yummy Spicy Green Beans


Ingredients:

2-3 handfuls of fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bell pepper (I like red or yellow) cubed

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

2 teaspoons red chilli flakes


1) Trim, cut, and wash green beans. Fill a large saucepan 3/4 of the way with water and bring to a boil.

2) Add green beans to boiling water, just until bright green and crispy, about 3 minutes. Drain green beans and plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain and set aside.

3) In a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.

4) Add garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes.

5) Add green beans to the pepper and garlic in the skillet and warm the green beans for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

6) Sprinkle red chili flakes over the green bean mixture, stir. Add toasted sesame oil, stir, and remove from heat. Serve immediately.

Hope y'all enjoy!

-Beth


8:28 PM 
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Monday, September 14, 2009 

Current mood:Rainy-but-oh-so-good
"Rainy Days and Mondays"


Maybe it's weird, but they don't get me down... rainy days and Mondays, that is... they're restful for me. Maybe it's because we've been nonstop going for the last few months, and when I woke up this morning in my own bed, I remembered it was Monday, and I had nowhere to be until Saturday. What an amazing feeling! And somehow it enhances that feeling for it to be melancholy outside. The only downside is that our roof is leaking in about twenty different places (Dallas has been HIT with storms the last few days! It's crazy!), but in a lot of ways, it's kind of endearing, you know? There are pots and pans laying all around our house (not to mention a recycling bin-- I think Shane got desperate, but didn't realize the bin has holes on the bottom. Yeah.) and the smell of rain and wet earth has filled our house. Soo, soo good.

I'm sitting here at White Rhino, waiting for my chamomile tea to steep, listening to some coffee shop music. Just wanted to drop in and say hello to you all. I think Twitter has drastically changed my blogging habits, you know? I am now "tweeting" about twice a day, and I feel like that's blogging, but it really isn't. It's been nice, though, because it's more conducive to busyness and the road, but now that I'm home, I wanted to just write more than 120-something characters and say a few thing:

1) Thank you, thank you, thank you for your sweet encouragement about the new record!!!! I have been reading y'all's comments and tweets and have just been blessed over and over again. My highest hope is that you would find Him somehow in those songs, and that He'd stir the deepest places of your heart for Him through them. He's so much bigger than songs, but I am just blown away by His using them anyway! So, yeah, thank you guys for your support and going on this "stop and listen" (Luke 10) journey with me!

2) We had an amazing handful of shows this past week! Rev Gen, you guys are great. Thanks for having us. Hunters' Glen in Plano, thanks for celebrating with us on release day, and to everyone who came out! And, HELLO, Jillian Edwards- you are fantastic, truly. I've been listening to your EP nonstop. Ft. Gillem and Ft. Jackson, man... thanks for inviting us in and letting us have a better picture of who you are. We were humbled beyond words by your selfless sacrifice. 

3) I'm reading an AMAZING book by John MacArthur: Twelve Extraordinary Women. I read the first three chapters (Eve, Sarah, and Rahab) last night on my flights home, and ladies out there, I'd encourage you to go through it with me! 

Anyway, I want to blog more later, but I need to hop in the truck and head home to get Shane's computer for him... he's meeting with some guys from our church here right now. Just wanted to leave y'all with some radical verses that have stopped me in my tracks lately... I've been kind of immersed in a season of wanting to be CONVINCED of His love, you know? Here's some crazy thoughts for you today, if you struggle with it like me:

"To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night." Psalm 92:2

"You have hemmed me in, behind and before, and You have laid Your hand upon me." Psalm 139:5

When you have a moment today, let your thoughts go there, and lead your heart there... that He is literally hemming you in with lovingkindness and faithfulness. His deep affection for You are the book ends on this day, and tomorrow, and every day after that. What a powerful reality! Rest in it, rejoice in it, be swept off your feet by it.

Love y'all, talk soon.

Beth
7:33 PM 
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Sunday, September 13, 2009 
Hey guys, many of you have been asking for these, so I thought I would go ahead and put them up -- here are the lyrics for my new record Stop and Listen. If you haven't already, you can buy the record on iTunes for $7.99.

Love you all!

Beth

.. .. .. .. .. .. ....

Get Up and Walk....

Bethany Dillon

.. ..

I have got no one to blame

Except if that someone’s me

I washed my hands, but just the same

My eyes confess for me

I come in filthy rags

You know I’m guilty

.. ..

I wake up almost every night

Saying Your name

What I would give to walk in the light

But what I hide has made me lame

My face down on the ground

I wait to hear the healing sound

.. ..

            You break through my deafness....

            Swing open the curtain....

            And I find the courage to get up and walk....

            I forget my weakness....

            For You’ve answered my loneliness....

            And through the mud on my eyes....

            I can see my Hope has come....

.. ..

You’ll have to show me where to go

It’s been so long since I’ve used my feet

I got up today a cripple

And now I’m dancing

So let the power of Your move

Not stop with what I can see

.. ..

I couldn’t walk....

I couldn’t sing....

I couldn’t love until You found me



Everyone To Know....

Bethany Dillon/Ed Cash

.. ..

Here we go

Let in the light from my window

Say goodbye to my sorrow

And hello, new day

My soul needed a rescue

A Hero, it had to be You

I know You’ve changed everything

.. ..

            So I want everyone to know....

            Everyone to know....

            I want to tell the world about Your love....

.. ..

I’ve thrown years away

And every chance to change

It took so much to see my pride

I’ve thrown punches in the air

Chased after love that wasn’t there

I know only You satisfy

.. ..

To all the broken hearted....

The crippled and the weak....

We are all invited to taste and see....

To all of those who are searching....

Come find what you seek....

It is the truth that we all need



I Am Yours....

Bethany Dillon/Ed Cash

.. ..

Every darkened crevice

Every hidden place

Every secret that’s inside of me

Though I run from You

I don’t get very far

In my weakness You speak tenderly

.. ..

You heal this heart of stone

I am not my own

.. ..

            I am Yours....

.. ..

How can I resist a perfect love like this?

It’s like sunshine and the smell of spring

When I’m covered in Your forgiveness

God, it’s overwhelming

.. ..

You have called me out of shadows....

Out of darkness into light....

Hemmed in by the hands of mercy....

I’m completely satisfied



Stop and Listen ....

Bethany Dillon/Joy Williams/Ben Glover

.. ..

.. ..

I wake up

Start the rush and pour some coffee

Things to do pile up

Oh so quickly

Too many days I feel like

I run on empty

Does anyone else out there feel like me?

.. ..

But I’d be a fool to forfeit....

The chance to take a moment....

            ....

            For You to rise like the dawn....

            Over my cold, tired heart....

            What I thought I had lost....

            Finds me when I stop....

            Stop and listen....

.. ..

It’s the same slowing down lesson we all learn

But I don’t pay much attention

Till I crash and burn

.. ..

So all together....

Let’s stop and sit at His feet....

My sisters and brothers....

.. ..

.. ..

Say Your Name....

Bethany Dillon

.. ..

I’m trying to find a moment with You

These days are speeding by

This ring gives me a new point of view

I’m a dealer in my time

And if I can make a confession

My time is torn between

The man who has won my affection

And the God who made me

.. ..

Oh, it all looks different

But that doesn’t mean anything has changed

                        ....

            Still I reach for You....

            When I am afraid....

            And this breath that comes from You....

            Helps me say Your name....

.. ..

I look at the life of Anna

Your presence was her home

I look at the life of my mother

Praying on her back porch

.. ..

One day very soon....

Face to face....

I’ll give an account of my time to You

.. ..


So Close....

Bethany Dillon

.. ..

I’m so close to being so far away from You

I was wrong, but it takes so much to say it to You

Like a broken husband and wife

Who never talk but share their nights

I’m so close to being so far away from You

I have nothing when I’m living apart from You

Outside, creation groans

To lose our darkness and be made whole

.. ..

            For my feet are close to slipping....

            Speak to my heart in time....

            You have promised, so I do believe....

            You won’t forget this wandering child....

.. ..

Still, I’m so close to being so far away from You

Though I know no one on their own makes it through

My soul clings to the dust

So in Your life, let it be enough

.. ..

I’m so foolish to believe that I can escape Your love....

.. ..

            For my feet were close to slipping....

            You spoke to my heart in time....

            You have promised, and I do believe....

            You won’t forget this wandering child....

.. ..

You’re so close when I feel far away from You
You’re so close when I feel far away from You



Reach Out....

Bethany Dillon

.. ..

.. ..

No one knows what is hurting inside me

But I feel it in every breath

So many have promised to heal me

Till my money and hope was spent

I am hiding in this crowd

He may be just beyond my grasp

.. ..

            But if I just reach out....

            If I just reach out....

            Just for a moment....

            Could everything change....

            If I just reach out....

            If I just reach out....

            For the hem of His garment....

            Could everything change....

.. ..

Worry is the water rising

And it’s flooding up to my neck

I’ve nothing to lose, but can I believe

These broken years are in my past

Then eyes like fire and warm like the breeze

Turn and meet mine

.. ..

I feel like something has changed....

I feel like something has changed....

I know I felt something change....

.. ..

            I just reached out....

            I just reached out            ....

            Just for a moment....

            And everything changed....

            I reached out....

            I just reached out....

            For the hem of His garment....

            And everything changed....

.. ..

.. ..

Deliver Me....

Bethany Dillon

.. ..

.. ..

Deliver me from my prideful mind

It weighs heavier on me all the time

What a silent, yet, such a deadly crime

To think that I own my own life

.. ..

So humble me just like You did

The king who lost his mind in the wilderness

And don’t let me go back

Until I confess

You are the only God

.. ..

Deliver me from my hateful thoughts

I’m committing murder in the presence of God

Break my heart just like David’s was

With a weeping, pregnant widow in my house

.. ..

How can I despise my brother

When I killed Your only begotten Son?

Help me prefer another and say

You are the only God

.. ..

This morning my alarm went off

Earlier than I’d ever want

And in this small obedience, Lord

Help my heart stay bowed down

.. ..

Father, You’ve given Jesus

All those He will raise up

And all eyes, including mine, will see

You are the only God

..
..

.. ..

The Way I Come To You....

Bethany Dillon

.. ..

Day turned to night

You breathed your last

Blood flowed from Your side

All of God in a young man

Who gave away His life

.. ..

You loved me

When I was Your enemy

And You chose me

When I didn’t believe

.. ..

            You drank the cup that was all filled up....

            With my punishment and shame....

            From the garden to the empty tomb....

            The way I come to You forever changed....

.. ..

A crushing burden on our backs

The words hang in the air

“His blood be on us and our children”

Still, You forgave us there

.. ..

Jesus, perfect through suffering....

Jesus, our merciful High Priest....

The weakness of God is mighty....

And the foolishness of His love has saved me....

.. ..

.. ..

....

In The Beginning....

Bethany Dillon

.. ..

In the beginning was the Word

The Word was God

And put on flesh to dwell with us

In Him was the life

And the Life was the light of men

And it shines in the darkness

.. ..

            Even as the rain and snow come down....

            And do not return empty....

            Making it bear fruit and sprout....

            So Your Word will be

.. ..

For the Word is living and active

Like a sword, piercing the division

Of soul, marrow, and spirit

.. ..

A light unto my path....

Strength to carry on....

The treasure I have found within....

Is hidden in my heart....

7:17 PM 
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Saturday, July 18, 2009 

Current mood:New-Record-Tastic!
Yummy Brussels Sprouts
(yeah, I know, you don't think you like them. Well, this recipe is super yummy, and healthy. Don't be a wimp, just give it a try!)


Serves 4 

Ingredients:
1 package of brussels sprouts (about 1.5 lb) 
3 tbsp walnut oil (vegetable oil works too)
1 shallot (1/3 yellow onion works)
1/2 cup chicken stock
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper

1) Heat the walnut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2) Wash and slice in half the brussels sprouts, set aside. Finely chop the shallot. Add the shallot to the pan.
3) Cook until the shallot is soft, about 2 minutes. Then add the brussels sprouts. Add more oil to coat. 
4) Cook the brussels sprouts and shallot until the majority of the brussels sprouts are browned and starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Raise the heat to medium-high if you prefer them a little more cooked (I do!). 
5) Add the chicken stock to the pan, have at medium-high heat. Let it simmer until the stock has reduced and the brussels sprouts are softened and cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. 
6) Once cooked to desired doneness, remove from heat and add preferred amount of lemon juice to the pan, stir. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!

And then... you can thank me later. ;)
4:16 PM 
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Thursday, July 16, 2009 
Hello, friends! :) I am finding refuge in an air-conditioned Panera right now, getting some things done for the record. And while I was here and on the internet, I thought I should post a little blog and see how you all are doing, and update you guys on what's been going on here.

It has been one busy summer so far! Shane has been working on a record, we've also been helping with our church's worship record, not to mention lots of house guests in the last month-- the biggest group being my family of ten coming down and hanging for the week of July 4th! It's been bonkers, but so good.

In a couple of days, I'm headed out for a string of shows, and then we get home just a few days before our trip to Zambia with World Vision. I've been busy filling out visa applications and background checks and all of that... it's so surreal to us that we get to go to AFRICA, and on top of that, meet a boy that we sponsor! It's going to be an amazing experience. If I learned anything from my trip to India a few years ago, it's that you can't prepare... you can just... process it once you're there. But mostly when you get home. A good friend of mine has spent a lot of time in Africa, and even hearing her share about it, I realized I have no idea what I'm going to feel while I'm there. It's going to be a bigger reality check this time, though, because I'm going with Shane... I know he's going to be so impacted, and I'm going to learn a lot from what he gets out of the trip. But all of that to say, I'm SO pumped! What a huge blessing and privilege to get to go! Maybe the heat in Dallas is a way of preparing for Africa... hmm...

In this busy season, I've had some days of discouragement. Just... not being able to focus very well. Lots of distractions, tiredness, schedules. I read something in this book called "The Valley of Vision" this morning that rocked my world and I wanted to share with y'all -- have you heard of that book, by the way? It's a book of Puritan prayers... amazing... if I read even a page, it messes me up for a week. Here's a little excerpt from the prayer entitled "The Spirit's Work":

O God the Holy Spirit, 
Thou who dost proceed from the Father and the Son, have mercy on me. When thou didst hover over chaos, order came to birth, beauty robed the world, fruitfulness sprang forth. Move, I pray thee, upon my disordered heart...

Yeah. 

So good... I forget that, you know? "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." (Genesis 1:1,2)  -- powerful. He hovers over chaos and creates order and beauty. How badly I need that today! 

Hope you all are doing well, and are reminded of His faithfulness to you in the right now of your life! That He can take something without form and completely empty and create glory! He can take CHAOS and disorder and create beauty! 

See you all soon, have a great rest of your day! 

Beth
Currently listening:
Glory Revealed II
By Various Artists
Release date: 2009-07-14
4:09 AM 
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Friday, June 12, 2009 
Hey everyone, if you have a few seconds please fill out this quick survey.  Take a break from whatever you are doing and let us know your thoughts.

You can start here.
9:34 PM 
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Thursday, June 11, 2009 

Current mood:New-music-tastic!!!
Hey friends! Hope you are doing well. As I sit and type this blog, I am very much trying to focus on THIS, and not on the big welt-sized mosquito bites on my legs, ankles, shoulders... aaaagh. Gotta love summer! And living by a creek! :)

Anyway. The new record is coming out soon! So surreal and crazy. 1) I can't believe it's June, and 2) I can't believe all the songs are written, recorded, and I finally get to talk about them and share them. I'm sure it's the same with anything else, but every time I've gone to write for a new record, I am seized with this (temporarily) crippling fear that maybe... I can't write anymore songs. Or... the ones that will come out won't be any good. I'm sure in a lot of circumstances, it's spiritual attack - and in many others, pure insecurity mixed with pride. But THEN! Then, there's always the part in the story where songs just start... happening... I mean, I sit down and take time to write, but I seem to always not notice that while I'M panicked and afraid nothing's going to come out, songs are being finished right under my nose! Then, I'm sitting in the car in the driveway, listening to new mixes, and completely overwhelmed by His faithfulness once again. And let me tell you, if there has ever been a season in my life where I've experienced that humbling faithfulness, it's been this one! 

I had written a few songs when this past February had rolled around... but I had more ideas FOR songs that actual finished songs. And, since it's the nature of the beast, and since I'm more of a 5-minute-long, ballady, introspective song writer, there's a time when I get a phone call that goes something like this...

"Beth... I think we may need to start thinking about radio songs."

Oh, right! :) I always seem to forget about those! Ha! 

And, the same as it is with most of us, there are parts of our jobs that we enjoy, and then other parts that... let's just say... don't come as naturally. But it was definitely a fun thought to think about getting in the studio again with Mr. Ed Cash for a writing session, so it was put on the calendar, and my insecure/prideful/worried mind started reeling again. 

What if nothing happens?

What if we leave with an unfinished song?

What if there isn't any inspiration?

Should I come in with an idea?

The good part of it was, though, that having known Ed for almost seven years now, the anxiety that could be there over trying to write a song with a complete stranger wasn't in the slightest bit in my mind. So, to make a long-ish story a bit longer, we had a great day of writing, chilling, catching up, finishing a song I had started and couldn't finish ("I Am Yours" - slowly becoming one of my favorites on the record), Ed brought up maybe trying to get another song together before the end of the day. It was about 2pm. I knew I had to leave around 6pm, so I agreed, maybe we should just try and see what came of it. (At this point, my confidence and enjoyment was a ton better! Having something accomplished scares away crippling writer's block like nothing else.) He started to play some melody ideas he had recorded on his phone ... and let me tell you, there is a TREASURE chest right there! You know that part in Elf where the team of writers find the "little black book" of that famous author's children's book ideas? Yeah. That's how I would feel if Ed's phone "accidentally" made its way into my possession. Okay... so off of creepy kleptomaniac rabbit trail... 

We listened through a few ideas. All really, really good, but nothing was jumping out at me. 

Then... there was this piano song he played. Whoa! I immediately connected with it and loved it. He had a chorus that just said "I want everyone to know, everyone to know, I want to tell the world about Your love." 

How GOOD is the Lord? Seriously! I had been smack in the middle of learning what it means to truly, truly be a minister of the Gospel. There had been a few conversations on planes with people who either were believers and felt like they had wasted their life on being silent, or with unbelievers who really wanted to have this Jesus stuff explained in a sincere way to them. And I will be honest, it is a terrifying place to be in walking with the Lord! Especially for a people pleaser. I can come up with a lengthy list of reasons why I don't feel "wired" to share the love of Christ with someone (don't we love to say that it just isn't 'cool'? Maybe with fancier words, but that's always what I mean!), but when I step back and look at all my excuses, none of them drown out His call for obedience, and for it to be fueled by our thankful, satisfied love for Him. So, to say the least, those lines-- although they were simple and few-- were a very big confirmation of what He had been speaking to my heart.

So, out came this song over the next four hours... a call to those who are chasing after things that won't satisfy their souls. Stuck in the emptiness of their life. Sharing in a three-and-a-half-minute format how my heart (because it's HIS heart) is for ALL to be led to repentance and salvation in Jesus; our very, very merciful High Priest!

I'm so glad this is the first song to be let out of the "vault". :) I'm SO ready for you to hear the rest, but this is such a meaningful one to share with you before anything else. I hope you enjoy, and are encouraged to move past insecurity, self-consciousness, people-pleasing, and to feel the urgency of His return, and His heart to water and plant through YOU... whether it's through your words, your servant's heart, your friendship... so HE might give the growth, and cause the miraculous to happen! That a cold, dead heart of stone would be replaced with a heart of flesh. I'm so excited that we get to be a part of that!

See you all soon :) Beth
4:53 PM 
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Friday, June 05, 2009 

Current mood:Hungry :)
Healthy Yummy Oatmeal Banana Nut Bread

A fun recipe I thought you might enjoy :)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup fat free vanilla yogurt
3/4 cup honey
2 egg whites
3 or 4 mashed bananas (depends how much you like banana)
1 tsp butter nut vanilla (only @ Kroger, but normal vanilla works fine)
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup flax meal
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup walnuts, cut in pieces

Directions:
1) Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 4.5 x 8.5" bread pan.

2) Cream yogurt and honey together in a bowl until it's completely mixed. Stir in egg whites one at a time, beat well, then stir in bananas and vanilla.

3) In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add flax meal, mix. Beat into creamed mixture. Stir in oats and walnuts. Pour into prepared pan. * I like to sprinkle some oats on the top, along with dusting it with some cinnamon for an extra layer of flavor. And it makes it smell even better in the oven! 

4) Bake in pre-heated oven for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

5) For banana muffins, pour into prepared muffin pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until light brown and baked all the way through in the center.

ENJOY!
5:30 PM 
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009 

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

 

A major sign of being home for me is actually knowing WHAT day of the week it is… when I’m on the road, every day sort of feels like a Friday or a Saturday. I’m pretty sure it jacks you up after a while!

 

How was your Memorial Day? Shane and I had lunch over at some friends from church’s house… then came home and made a Kashi roasted vegetable pizza (sounds like it wouldn’t taste good, but ooooooh buddy, it’s an explosion of flavor!) and watched The Secret Life of Bees. It’s been hard to wake up this morning, for some reason. I got up early and had my coffee, but now I sort of feel like I could take a nap until lunch.

 

I had kind of an emotional day yesterday. It’s sad, because I feel like “emotional” has this negative connotation to it—but really, it was one of my favorite days in a long time. Maybe another word for it is “soft”. My heart felt very soft. It may be a product of being home for a solid week, being adjusted to having time to think, breathe, process, enjoy. Especially to really set aside time to enjoy the presence of God. I wish I could invite all of you over to our house today for lunch and a hang—our house has a BUNCH of windows, lots of open space, and we are blessed enough to live in a part of town that still has trees. I’m sitting in our living room right now, and all I can see around me are green trees with splashes of morning light on their branches, and sweet little birds hopping from one tree to the other. In a word, this home of ours is RESTFUL. I can’t believe how restful it is. Who knows how long we will live here in Dallas, but I am so deeply thankful for the time we do have here. I feel like I’m constantly witnessing His hand in and on creation—sort of like having the Discovery channel on all day, but a little better. :) All that to say, I think time off and the season turning from spring to summer and watching beautiful birds land on our bird feeder by the kitchen while I drink coffee in the morning has softened my heart and undeniably stirred my affections for Jesus.

 

And I was really, really struggling with something the other day. I guess Sunday night and Monday morning… just… self-consciousness. Pride. A situation had come up and all of the sudden, I was keenly aware of the way it might make ME look… and it involved me choosing to either stay in relationship and friendship with a group of people or just half-heartedly doing it. That may sound vague…. Sorry… just go with me on this. :)

 

So, I was sweeping the floor. I had some moments of quiet and was going to go up to my room for a little while and enjoy it, and just wanted to sweep the floors really fast before I did. And, let me tell you, the grace of God has been so tangible lately. The more I walk with Him, the more I’m convinced that we really have just a few seasons of clarity with Him… and because of that, makes genuine love for Him fuel our perseverance and hope in Him. But, even a crumb of clarity from Him is so glorious and wonderful! And… I had about five seconds of it yesterday when I had made my way to the downstairs bathroom, sweeping the floor. I feel like He spoke to my restless heart: “Do you love because you want to be loved in return, or do you love because I am love?”

 

It might sound overly simplistic… but man… did it mess me up! I flipped to passages in 1 John that talk about love in a very similar way (imagine that, God having the same Truth then and now) …

 

 “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16)

 

So I’m just chewing on that today. Abiding in love towards my brothers and sisters. Asking for a heart of humble love that produces fruit of service and encouragement.

 

I think I’m going to go tidy up the house a bit now and then go enjoy the beautiful weather outside! I sure love summer. :)  

 

Hope you all have a lovely rest of your day… see you soon. Beth

9:28 PM 
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Thursday, May 14, 2009 

Current mood:Locked-out

Hey friends. :)


So, alarm went off at 5am this morning. Shane and I both were flying out of Dallas/Fort Worth airport (Shane- 8:30a, me- 10:30a) so we carpooled with the guys over in my Honda. I saw him off fine, went to get a grape nuts/yogurt/blueberry parfait (highly recommend), sat down and read for a little while. Around the time my flight was supposed to board, I mosied on over to my gate to see.. GASP!... that my flight had been cancelled. As far as I was concerned, it looked like a baby rain storm outside, until I saw a huge bolt of lightning take over 80% of the sky. Hmm. That's what I get for totally checking out with a book and tea. Anyway, I stood in line with about 50 other people looking for another flight to Nashville, and by the time I got up there, all six of the afternoon flights had been completely booked and I was put on stand-by.. which is the airline's way of getting you off their back, but also not having to do anything with you. Stand by = little to no chance of getting on the flight... at least in my experience. So, I'm confirmed for the 9:40p to Nashville tonight. I called a friend and got a ride to my house (because Shane has the keys to the car in his book bag... yeah. It only gets better!), to remember... GASP!... that BOTH spare keys to the house are with Shane. Hmm. I sat outside in the sunny, beautiful, 80 degree weather for a couple minutes (of course it's nice now!) and then decided it was torture to sit there and be able to look inside. Kind of that "water, water everywhere; but not a drop to drink" sentiment. :) I seriously do have the worst travel luck of anyone I've ever known. At least this morning there was a good reason! Usually I just show up and they tell me it's cancelled... or I've been bumped off the flight... why?, I ask. Oh, I'm not sure, sorry, is the typical answer. Ha! It gets comical after a while. Cruel comical. 


So, here I am... sipping Southern Pecan coffee at the White Rhino, about to go read and journal, get a massage, then maybe go see a flick. Shane knows what a to-do list person I am, and how deeply frustrating it is to not be able to use my free time to organize or sanitize something, and he has just been chuckling when I call him and the only thing I can get out is, "aaaah!"  -- and has reminded me that it might be good for my soul to have nothing to "accomplish" today. To just... be. 


That... is... (deep breath)... DIFFICULT.


I wanna be able to do it. I want to enjoy the next seven hours fully. I want to remember that in His endless, mysterious, purposeful sense of humor, He knew what today would look like. I want to have my mouth open wide for Him to fill it (Psalm 81:10) ... my very poor, poor spirit open for Him to fill with His riches. His wealth of mercy, kindness, and vision today. Settle my heart, LORD! Remove frustration and replace it with rest. 


Hope y'all are having a fabulous Thursday... and if you can't think of anything to be thankful for, be thankful you can get in your house today. :) Love you guys! If any of you are in the general area this weekend (Lincolnton, North Carolina; Herndon, Virginia; Perrysburg, Ohio), come say hello and hear some new songs! 


Beth

7:58 PM 
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