Prompted By Worship

October 27, 2014September 22, 2015 ~ Teresa ~ 9 Comments

Yesterday my husband led a congregation from his hometown in Worship. I was privileged to be a part of that service. Because it was truly beautiful worship. We were welcomed with such love and kindness. Peace was felt within those walls. Heaven came down and the chords that rolled off those ivories was simply stunning.

Rocky will be the first to tell you that the music belongs to God. It is a gift and he has always known this truth. He has studied, taken lessons and practiced more hours than we would ever be able to count and it shows. Clearly, it shows, but it is only because God has given the tools and provided the means for him to be good at what he does.

Last year he fulfilled a lifelong dream and graduated with his DMA in piano performance, and although he has the honor of having Doctor in front of his name now, it’s not a title he flaunts. I will however, tell you about it because I am proud of him, but not just because he received his DMA.

I am proud of him because he is one of the most Christ-like people I know. He is humble and kind to others. He shares his gift from the heart. He shared with me that as a young man, even before he became a Christian, he knew he wanted to use his music for God. And he does. He has used his music to minister to others in many churches, nursing homes and senior centers as well as weddings and funerals. He has used his skill to teach others.

When he plays it is like getting a glimpse into heaven. I’ve seen how God uses his music to touch the lives of others. I’ve seen people moved to tears when he plays. I’ve seen faces light up when they hear a favorite song. I’ve watched as families look to each other and nod their heads when a certain song is played. I’ve seen the comfort his music has brought to those suffering. I’ve felt the presence of God move through a room full of people with such sweetness that you just wanted the doors of heaven to open.

I’ve also seen the generosity of others in supporting his ministry and it is truly humbling to know that they believe in what he is doing. They recognize that he simply plays and allows God to have the glory. Yesterday, after playing with such passion and beauty, he ended the time of worship with My Tribute. As I listened to his fingers play the notes with such feeling, the words of the song, written by Andrae Crouch, came to mind and I couldn’t help but think what a fitting song to end with, because I know that Rocky knows that all the glory belongs to God.

The glory of God was evident in yesterday’s worship. Many people mentioned it on the way out the door and over lunch. For me, to sit in such a sweet space and to witness such beauty in worship and to see how God was using my husband to minister to us, was truly a wonderful awe-inspiring experience.

It reminded me, once again, of my sense of place in the world and how God is the author of where that place is. Yesterday, it was in a church in a small town being ministered to by my husband and being reminded that it is all because of the blood of Jesus. Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus. (click the link to hear him play)

Staring out over Cave Run Lake Sunday afternoon after the concert.

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

Worshiping in Grace,

Teresa

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Prompted By The Nester

October 25, 2014October 25, 2014 ~ Teresa ~ 3 Comments

This Weekend Toss post is part of a Write 31 Days series hosted by The Nester. Today I was inspired to take some impromptu pictures of vignettes around my house. The Nester’s theme this month is Vignette Me so who better to be my inspiration for noticing the vignettes all around my home.

You can right click any of the images and open in a new tab to see a larger version.

Blue glass vignette in the kitchen. You will notice the roof of my little dilapidated garage showing through the window behind the blue bottles. The blue vintage sugar and creamer set was a gift from my cousin. The windows were found at antique shops. the white ceramic vase with blue flowers in the bottom, middle photo is from Slovakia and was a gift from my sister when she lived there.

Music Room vignette. 1. Looking through the doorway to the left of our small entry into the music room. 2. Chairs in the music room, with blue pillows, stained glass window and open door on the book hutch that found me. 3. chair by stained glass window, softened for effect. — Music Room vignette. 1. Looking through the doorway to the left of our small entry into the music room. Yes, I have a cows head hanging above the door. She needs a name, any ideas? 2. Chairs in the music room, with blue pillows, stained glass window and open door on the book hutch that found me. 3. chair by stained glass window, vintage mirror hanging on door.

Vignette in the Living Room - Collections on Shelves: room - crocks, books turned backwards, bow ties from a friends estate and match boxes from my Dad's collection — Vignette in the Living Room – Collections on Shelves: crocks, books turned backwards, bow ties from a friends estate and match boxes from my Dad’s collection

Sweet Vignette in the living room of found objects: pink leaf dish (I heart leaves), sweet little birds, depression glass lid that has lost it’s container, pretty embroidered scarf, basket with doily and mirror ball.

Street Roll Vignette. Why yes, I have lived on all these streets! I decided I needed to embrace all the moves and give them a place of honor. I like to think that our adventures in moving have taken us down roads less traveled, hence the title of my street roll.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Sunday Vignette: Reading lamp, table with Bible and devotional book. You can see my blue bottle tree through the window. The lamp is not my normal taste, but it came from the estate of a family friend, so I keep it for now. — Sunday Vignette: Reading lamp, table with Bibles and devotional book and a copy of *A Million Little Ways* by Emily Freeman. The lamp came from the estate of a family friend. You can see my blue bottle tree through the window. Also part of the house next door.

What kind of Vignettes do you see in your home? They are practically everywhere if you just look for them.

Vignetting in grace,

Teresa

Trees and Roof-line Vignette across the street from my front porch. See? Vignettes are everywhere.

Click the images below for the Nester’s Vignette Me, Prompted to Write, or to check out other Write 31 Day participants.

The Nester who inspired me to check out my vignettes.

Prompted By Interruptions

October 22, 2014October 22, 2014 ~ Teresa ~ 5 Comments

How do you handle interruptions throughout the course of your day? I don’t always handle them well. Sometimes, I have a plan for how I ~~need~~ want my day to go, then when (notice I didn’t say if) my plans are interrupted I can become quite stressed.

In my current season of life, I find that my days are interrupted quite often. My mother, who has Alzheimer’s, often feels the need to be comforted or reassured. She is still mobile and sometimes she takes walks when she is restless. Many days though she comes to me instead or in addition to. This is what I want her to do. This is why I live next door to her. I want her to feel safe and welcomed.

Still. Some days when I need rest or time to reflect, or write, or even just be, the interruption can be somewhat overwhelming. Especially, when it is the third, fourth or fifth time in one day. I pray about this for two reasons. One, I don’t ever want my mother to feel like she is intruding and two, I don’t want to have any regrets in how I’ve ministered to her during this season of her life.

She won’t always be with me and so I want to treasure the time I have left with her and if that means putting my plans on hold to chat with her for a few moments that is what I will do. God will give me the grace to show her mercy and compassion.

I’m reminded of God’s grace and mercy to me. I’m reminded of how Jesus interrupted his life to lay it down for me. How can we even complain when our life is interrupted to meet the needs of another? I don’t think we can.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

Dear Father, help us today to show your mercies to those you send our way. May we be ever mindful of your great mercy shown to us in the gift of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for our sins. Amen.

Finding mercy in grace,

Teresa

This post is part of a 31 day series in which I am prompted to write by the ebb and flow of my daily life. I may miss a day here and there. You can click the button to the right for the complete series. Thanks for reading. I’d love for you to leave a comment and let me know you stopped by.

Prompted By A Lovely Fall Drive

October 20, 2014October 20, 2014 ~ Teresa ~ 1 Comment

Today’s post is Part of a 31 Day writing series where I will choose moments from my life and let them be my writing prompt for the day. This one is inspired by a drive to look at the changing color of the leaves. Click the prompted button to see all the post in this series. (note: you can click on the pictures to see a larger image – just right click and tell it to open in a new tab so you don’t lose the page.)

If I don’t have an opportunity to wander about on a lovely fall day to see the leaves in all their glory I can become a little frazzled. I always try to keep the third weekend of October open, which is usually peak in our neck of the woods. I don’t always win the calendar war.

Yesterday, after a busy weekend and arriving home around 4 PM my husband graciously took me out for a little spin on our way to the church fireside gathering. Just minutes from our back door we had some of the most beautiful views I have seen anywhere.

We drove through a covered bridge that frames a lovely country church and wound around a delightful ribbon of country road that had some lovely fall color at every twist and turn (and I literally mean twist and turn).

It was a delightful drive that ended at a friends house where our small congregation gathered for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. Long after everyone else had gone home, my husband and I stayed around the fire with our friend catching up and watching the flames burn low. It was a peaceful way to end the evening.

(un)Winding in grace,

Teresa

Prompted By Bloggers III (Weekend Toss)

October 18, 2014October 18, 2014 ~ Teresa ~ 5 Comments

Today’s post is Part of a 31 Day writing series where I will choose moments from my life and let them be my writing prompt for the day. On Weekends, I do a Weekend Toss, which is a combination of links to blogs I have enjoyed, or random updates and sometimes a scripture for Sunday. Today I am sharing the links to other bloggers from the #Write31days group. You will find a variety of topics from various categories. I hope you click on the buttons below from their series and check them out. Please leave them a comment to let them know you stopped by. Feel free to tell them I sent you. For all the post in my Prompted to Write series, click the prompted button. To visit the blogs below, click on the image.