lyrics to live by: “Oceans” by Hillsong

Feeling the wind and the water and resonating deeply with “Oceans” by Hillsong

 

“You call me out upon the waters
the great unknown where feet may fail
and there I find you in the mystery
in oceans deep
my faith will stand

Art Journal with “Oceans” lyrics

So I will call upon your name, and keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in your embrace
for i am yours and you are mine

your grace abounds in deepest waters
your sovereign hand will be my guide
where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
you’ve never failed and you won’t start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
let me walk upon the waters
wherever you would call me
take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
and my faith will be made stronger
in the presence of my savior”

wild geese

Wind blown at Wild Goose

You had me at mountains, Jesus and art.

But seriously! The Wild Goose Festival is the intersection of faith + justice + art + music for one weekend in the Mountains of North Carolina. When Aune and I weren’t being blown away by epic lady preacher, Nadia Bolz-Weber, we were soaking in the wisdom of Phyllis Tickle, taking in a plethora of “off the beaten path” bands…and participating in conversations on racial reconciliation in the middle of a field.

Song of songs Creative writing

 

 

The weekend included being surrounded by mountains, showering in a river, cooking by campfire, overwhelmingly awesome seminar choices and singing hymns while imbibing. Jealous, right?

If you thought I was lost, chances are I could be found sipping wine at the “Art and Soul” tent where I was able to create for the first time in months. One workshop I attended was about writing imagery driven poetry in the style of Song of Songs.

 

Yes it rained. Yes it was hot. Yes I was sometimes out of my comfort zone. But, I’m simply in awe of this community filled with passionate love for “mother- father- God”- where days are filled with the arts, creation care, deep theology, outpourings of acceptance and of course, beer and hymns. [FYI – Registration for Wild Goose 2014 is open!]

In the beginning was the best artist ever…it’s not me.

Last Sunday was a glorious sixty degree day, filled with sunshine and brimming with potential after the dreary winter. A few friends and I decided to take the pup {Koda} on a hike in the Mountains, as did the rest of town. #wildernessfail

Pinnacle View – Photo Credit: EN

After the battle for a parking spot near the mountain, and a {more intense that I imagined} trek up the two-mile trail before the state park closed…we reached the pinnacle. I just had to stop.

Be Still.

Still enough to hear the wind dancing through the leaves. Still enough to feel the solid earth below me. Still enough to notice how the trees surrounding the mountain bowed down to its strength. Still enough to remember that in the beginning was the best artist ever…and it’s not me.

Every now and then, when I take the time to notice, I’m completely knocked off my feet by the craftsmanship around us – look at this place! This world is crazy, unpredictable, painful, and frustrating too. But new life can even come out of the ashes.  All I can do is be in awe of the best artist ever and the way the spirit continues to dance His way through my days bringing more joy, more love, more peace, and the creativity to pour into the world that surrounds me.

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17 NIV

Last Sunday, the art was to just be still. Perhaps tomorrow the beauty will be in the dance.

Have you noticed something splendid today?