The Master’s Strings of Love
February 28, 2015
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I met a master violinist in Jerusalem last night. I listened to her talk about how all the strings of the violin work together to make the beautiful music. Only one string cannot deliver the magnificence. They must all be tightened to the appropriate tension. When I awake in this morning I ask the Lord to tighten the strings of my heart that will join others in bringing the beauty of love to the hearts of those I meet today. “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118
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I am a single string
Seeking to be tuned to life
Tightened by the Lord
I want the sound of your heart
That’s tuned to the mind of Love
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I will make music
I cannot do it alone
I am looking for other strings
Tightened by your love
Who are practicing daily
Tuned to the rhythm of joy
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This discipline works
Orchestrated with others
Who are listening
To the director of Life
Compelled by the Master’s love
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I am in the orchestra
Watching every move he makes
Moving with grace and rhythm
Surprised with the sound
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All those who hear it
Cannot deny its beauty
Know it is from God
Christmas Wonder
December 25, 2014
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I sit in wonder
Looking back I see it
Generational darkness
And pinholes of light
The tragedy and the pain
The sorrow that led to joy
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The relational chaos
Can be seen on the I-Phone
Looking for a connection
Missing the person
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With eyes on the hand
Holding the person captive
Not seeing my eyes
Longing for a connection
To be seen as a person
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I’ll lay the phone down
Turn it off and look around
Not miss the moment
The eyes and the warm embrace
Surprising moments of joy
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More information
Life lived vicariously
Technology is worshiped
Junk food of the mind
Robbing us connection
With the real and life giving
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I will text you now
And give an invitation
To come share a joy
Know the beauty of looking
In the eyes of the One who loves
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I have learned in the morning before I look at my I-Phone, turn on the computer and check my email to be still and look in the face of the Father who sees. The unseen is the real just like love. You know when it is not there and you know it when it is. Turn your mind, heart and soul to the One who can stop the noise and chaos and give you peace. Today people around the world are looking for gifts. One has been given you and you have only to be still, listen and believe. Readings this morning that has been helpful to me in stopping the “junk food” noise from generations are the following: “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers, “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. Psalm 25:14 speaks of a God who will “confide in you” and Psalm 55:22 says “Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you.” Looking back I see the generational darkness and I now see the generational light revealed that day God was born in the world as a baby. May the real wonder of Christmas be yours today! Merry Christmas!
Joy Discovered
January 15, 2014
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Beauty in the brokenness
Out of the darkness the dawn breaks
Through death we see life reborn
Joy is discovered
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What is it that needs to die
How can light come in the darkness
Why must I start with chaos
Is there a secret
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You’re not a human doer
You are a human being
Question: How do I be me
Freedom is calling
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Question your worldview
Who defines reality
Whose voice do you trust the most
That’s your decision
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The question is not “What works?”
The question is “What is true?”
Whose voice can I truly trust?
Challenge core beliefs
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The beliefs you adopted
To survive and be secure
To gain some significance
To have some control
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Security/Survival
Searched for by the unconscious
Are developed by a child
By the time they’re twelve
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Affection/Esttem
A real unconscious longing
In the heart of all
Will determine your actions
In the world you live
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Power and Control
How others will perceive you
The image you will present
To hide the true self
A powerful protection
Is toxic as an adult
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These beliefs were gifts
As a child when growing up
Now they are toxic
That leave the mind in chaos
Hidden idols that must die
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Children: the best recorders
Are the worst interpreters
Unless stopped will define you
Keep you in darkness
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You have been given a mind
You must train to think clearly
Face the struggle with courage
Who can set you free
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These beliefs destroy
No one can measure up to
Be perfect and perform the best
Always be happy
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Where do you begin
Choose to go against the lies
That have worked so long
Die to these and replace them
With the higher love of God
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“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul – Philippians 4:7
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“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30
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“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
You can find more information on this subject in my book:
Delta Blues: From Darkness to Light www.coachinglifematters.org
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With Great Joy I Move
October 13, 2012
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With great joy I move
Not because where I go
But who is with me
On level ground I will stand
To the mountains I will go
To the valley I am sent
But never alone
I’ll not live in fear
Though evil is all around
I am confident
One thing I will seek
With my eyes fixed on beauty
A relationship of love
When the trouble comes
He keeps me safe with his peace
A song in my heart
I have seen the face of God
In the servant lives
Of those who have surrendered
Moses, David, and Peter
My confidence is in this
Each of these lives were broken
The light came through their failure
A love beyond words
God has been faithful
For generations it’s love
And, also, today
Looking back I can see it
Looking forward I claim it
Based on reflections from my own life,
Psalms 26-30; Proverbs 6; and
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
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Your Beauty
March 23, 2011
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Please cherish your life story
Your familiarity
Blinds you to your own beauty
You must look closer
It takes a paradigm shift
A change of lenses to see
Pain as being a part of
Beauty in your life
It is in the silent night
There is a whisper of love
Heard only in the stillness
A quiet thunder
The chaos was a great gift
Looking back I clearly see
The pain caused me to search out
Love searching for me
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© Terry S. Smith
First posted July 16, 2009
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Your beauty
July 16, 2009
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Your story is wonderful
Your familiarity
Blinds you to your own beauty
You must look closer
It takes a paradigm shift
A change of lenses to see
Pain as being a part of
Beauty in your life
It is in the silent night
There is a whisper of love
Heard only in the stillness
A quiet thunder
The chaos was a great gift
Looking back I clearly see
The pain caused me to search out
Love searching for me
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© Terry S. Smith
August 29, 2008
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Your Story Matters 