Soulshine...

When you can't find the light,
That got you through the cloudy days,
When the stars ain't shinin' bright,
You feel like you've lost you're way,

When those candle lights of home,
Burn so very far away,
Well you got to let your soul shine,
Just like my daddy used to say.

[Chorus] He used to say soulshine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
Damn sure better than rain.

Hey now people don't mind,
We all get this way sometime,
Got to let your soul shine, shine till the break of day.
I grew up thinkin' that I had it made,
Gonna make it on my own.

Life can take the strongest man,
Make him feel so alone.
Now and then I feel a cold wind,
Blowin' through my achin' bones,
I think back to what my daddy said,
He said "Boy, in the darkness before the dawn:"

[Chorus] Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
Damn sure better than rain.

Yeah now people don't mind,
We all get this way sometimes,
Gotta let your soul shine, shine till the break of day.

Sometimes a man can feel this emptiness,
Like a woman has robbed him of his very soul.
A woman too, God knows, she can feel like this.
And when your world seems cold, you got to let your spirit take control.

[Chorus] Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
Damn sure better than rain.

Lord now people don't mind,
We all get this way sometimes,
Gotta let your soul shine, shine till the break of day.

Oh, it's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
Damn sure better than rain.
Yeah now people don't mind,
We all get this way sometimes,
Gotta let your soul shine, shine till the break of day.

The Allman Brothers

An evening at the Kidd's

"I really think that if I had stopped at those Methodist learnings when I was 8, I would be much better off."

"Would you like to go pick blueberries with us early in the morning?"
(answer...sarcastically) "Of course...that's my favorite time of day."

Story..."The boys asked one evening, "Have you ever wished you had had an affair?" He looked at them and said, "Well your mother and I discussed it, then, she told me that if I ever did, she would kill me." And those boys believed him! They believe everythig he tells them! Me who catches bugs in the house and takes them outside! The one who takes in every stray cat she finds! They think I would really kill their father!"

Drunken despondant 25 yr old sailor..."Besides fixing your fence that I drove through, nothing else matters...I don't matter."
Walter's response..."You do matter."

"...do you believe that God called you to Cloverdale?"...............Yes.

My eyes see, my heart swells, my mind wonders

Today's Song...

Every night I say a prayer in the hope that there's a heaven
And every day I'm more confused as the saints turn into sinners
All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
And I feel this empty place inside so afraid that I've lost my faith

Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way

And as I slowly drift to sleep, for a moment dreams are sacred
I close my eyes and know there's peace in a world so filled with hatred
That I wake up each morning and turn on the news to find we've so far to go
And I keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid that I just won't know

Show me the way,
Show me the way
Take me tonight to the mountain
And wash my confusion away
And if I feel light, should I believe
Tell me how will I know

Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way, show me the way

Give me the strength and the courage
To believe that I'll get there someday
Show me the way

Every night I say a prayer
In the hope that there's a heaven...

(Styx - Dennis DeYoung)

Reframing

I'm thinking about this word a lot lately. Mainly because we discussed it in my last Bethany class in connection with leadership, power, understanding situations, WIGIAT (Where is God in all this?), "What is really happening?," "Where do I come into the picture?"

I thought my short-term employment record may have come to a halt, but now, I'm not sure. As I reframe the past, I am now having to consider reframing the present.

So, what will the decision be...an alltogether new frame or one that's been used before - one that probably doesn't fit the new picture?

Do, Do, Do, Lookin' Out My Back Door

2 weeks...I thought that wouldn't be so bad...I could handle that...especially with a great housemate like Jen! Then...no sleep for 4 nights because I was so in tune with my pregnant friend across the hall who was so uncomfortable...spending an afternoon in the doctor's office with her...getting up at 4am to take her to the airport so she could go home...then...an entire week alone. Homesickness set in. I was ready to come home.

Then...the classmate from Rwanda speaks of his travels home after 3 years at Bethany. The new friend from Nigeria speaks of beginning his 3 years away from home. I feel guilty.

Then...the familiar mountains of Virginia come into view, the New River catches my eye, signs of Hokies begin to surface, the home Rob and I built together, Rob, the blooming Mountain Laurel, lilies and Morning Primrose in my back yard, my bed! my pillow! Cloverdale Church of the Brethren, "Welcome home!" "We missed you!" "So glad you're back!" "I hope it was a great class!" "Do you have all the answers now?"

I still feel a little bad that I could only take 2 weeks when others give up years, but still...I am ready to be home.

Eva Grace Stultz

Welcome little one.

Instruments

The instrument sits, silent

The keys untouched

The pedals still

The mechanisms created within

Meant to produce

Cannot do so alone

The master's touch

Soft and easy

Put all into use

The once silent instrument

Now brings sounds of beauty

Simple yet soothing

Those who hear

Are lulled by the sound

And the instrument

Is brought to life

"he will be an instrument for noble purposes,

made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

2 Timothy 2:21