Divine "Interruption"

I'm always fascinated by looking at Christmas from "the other side." What I mean by that is often we look at the Christmas story in retrospect, rather than looking at the situation from Mary and Joseph's perspective. They didn't have the knowledge of how their earthly son's life would play out. They obviously knew there was something special about this son God was giving them, but other than that, they chose to embrace God's invitation without knowing exactly what he was inviting them into. God drastically interrupted whatever expectations they had about their lives.

Mary bore the stigma of being an unwed mother in a society that would fiercely judge her. Many of her contemporaries probably saw her as a "good girl gone bad" with her unexpected pregnancy. Similarly, Joseph was willing to carry the burden of social stigma along with Mary as, after the angel appeared to him, he still took Mary as his wife, despite the rumors about their "predicament" that I'm sure were rampant in their communities.

They could have said no. They could have grasped the acceptance and familiarity that following the social norms would have afforded them. But for whatever reason, they said yes. Somehow they knew that while we busily build our ideas of life, in love God breaks into our worlds to invite us into real life.

As we celebrate Jesus' birth, may we with grace, humility and trust embrace God's interruptions in our lives.

*You can read more about Mary and Joseph in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 in the New Testament of the Bible.

Welcome to Our World

Beautiful Christmas song by Chris Rice.


Welcome to Our World
by Chris Rice




Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting

Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
Long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence

Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us

Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy

Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God

Welcome to our world

A Life Like Alabaster Perfume

I'm officially 26 and this past weekend my friends reminded me of the words below that I spoke at my 25th birthday celebration. Here's to pouring out everything you have & to friends who tell you the truth when you've forgotten who you are...

The temptation is to hold back, keep it in. After all, when you go all out there's great risk for failure, mistakes, exposure, vulnerability. You are willfully breaking yourself open so that people can see the life inside of you.

We hold this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is God, not from ourselves.

When you break yourself open, the light can shine out and through you...So go all out and leave nothing of yourself in the jar. Pour it all out and let yourself be surprised by the joy that emerges. Pour it all out like alabaster perfume. Pour your heart, your soul, your tiny voice, your small gift out like a river of fragrant love.

*Photo taken by Hector

Artistry--It Builds Character

Recently came across this quote from Anne Lamott, a fabulous and funny writer, that pertains to how artistry shapes character. In her book she's speaking to writers, but it applies to all artists:

"You are going to have to give and give and give, or there's no reason for you to be writing. You have to give from the deepest part of yourself, and you are going to have to go on giving, and the giving is going to have to be its own reward. There is no cosmic importance to your getting something published, but there is in learning to be a giver."

From Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Beauty & Bitterness

Every season has beauty and bitterness. Moments of joy when we feel like we're who and where we're supposed to be. And moments when we're caught up in disappointment, longing, and struggle.

It takes a phenomenal amount of grace to ask the question, "Where is God?" in whatever situation or circumstance you're in. It's hard to embrace our identity as children of God sometimes. When we face the unexpected it's so easy to feel like an orphan, forgotten and abandoned, rather than a child deeply loved and cared for.

May we "walk with grace our feet and faith our eyes"* as we navigate beauty and bitterness with the hope that we are loved.

*From Derek Webb's "Faith My Eyes"

Grateful for Hope

I have to admit that more often than not I want mammon more than manna*. I'd rather have cold hard cash and self-sufficiency, rather than dependence on God and the miracle of provision at just the right moment. It's been uncomfortable being in a season of tight finances, and it's been hard to see just how much trust I've put in the dollar, rather than God.

In a moment of striking anxiety, I was reminded of a song by India.Arie, "There's Hope."

There's hope/It doesn't cost a thing to smile/You don't have to pay to laugh/You better thank God for that

There are many gifts to be grateful for, and there are many gifts that money can't buy. There are many, many generations that have accomplished God's purposes without a great amount of resources. They have been privvy to the truth that it is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, through whom all things are possible--not mammon.

*In the Old Testament of the Bible, manna is the food God miraculously provided for the people of Israel as they were in the desert on their way to the Promised Land. Check out the book of Exodus, chapter 16.

In the Words of Steven Pressfield: "Do It Anyway"

I stumbled on this blog post by Steven Pressfield through the Twittersphere. Pressfield is the author of the "The War of Art" and "The Legend of Bagger Vance," which was adapted into a film starring Will Smith.

His post was spot on for me as an aspiring artist. No matter what is going down in your life, you have to keep creating.

As quoted in Pressfield's post:

This is an important post. I say that because this piece addresses (after procrastination, which is the #1 champ), the single greatest excuse/reason/cop-out that prevents aspiring writers, artists and entrepreneurs from taking action to pursue their dreams.


That excuse is, “First I have to _____________.”


“___________” can be anything from “finish my research” to “pay the rent” to “get rid of my slacker boyfriend.” I’m not saying such excuses can’t be real or serious. “Stop drinking,” “get out of rehab,” “recover from suicide attempt.” They can be absolutely valid and true. But they’re still Resistance. They're still bullshit.


Here’s the counter-mantra: “Do it anyway."

Song for the Climb #5: Don't Stop Believing

"Don't Stop Believing" by Journey

I had to go out big with the last song for the climb. This Journey song may be the song for inspiration--okay I'm probably exaggerating, but as Chris Williams of the Los Angeles Times describes, the odd format of the song (e.g. leaving the chorus for last) and its message continues to move us.

Since it's Friday, bonus videos!:

The original version by Journey live:



And the cast of "Glee" performing their version on Oprah

A Word for the Climb: Smokey Robinson at SXSW

Smokey Robinson, of the legendary "Motown sound," offers wisdom for emerging artists. Very appropriate for a week focused on the climb and the grind.

Memorable quotes from Mr. Robinson:

"Keep your feet on the ground and keep a thick skin."

Preach Smokey!

Song for the Climb #3: Show Love

We don't always realize it, but singers & songwriters are powerful theologians & truth tellers. In Mary J. Blige's song "Show Love" you learn wisdom on:

1. How to deal with haters
2. How to deal with jealousy

AND it's got a hot beat. Bet you remember it a lot better than the sermon you heard on church Sunday;-).

Show Love (Hidden Track) - Mar...

Song for the Climb #2: Get Up

For those moments in the journey when you feel insecure & timid, pump up Mary Mary's "Get Up" for a boost of boldness! Wow, I sound like a Gatorade commercial:-p...anyways, be inspired!

Songs for the Climb

I've been in a place where I feel the pull of my dreams and calling. I set out excited, bursts of energy propelling me in one direction, then the other. Inevitably though, I start to feel like I'm at the base of a vast mountain, and as I look up, the prospect of climbing towards my dream seems overwhelmingly daunting. All the bursts of energy quickly become insufficient to give my legs strength to make the climb.

Today though, I was reminded of the power of community to energize when the climb seems like too much. So I thought I'd give a little energy boost to whoever in the online community may happen to read this by sharing one song each day of this week to re-ignite your spark.

Song for the Climb #1 "Shine" by Laura Izibor

This one is for those days when you feel like you'll be stuck at your desk forever...

The Invitation

My friend passed on a poem today that beautifully expresses where I feel like I am in life. Admittedly, I'm a little obsessed with exploring my artistic identity (anyone who talks to me for 2 minutes will quickly realize this!), and this poem speaks to that obsession.

But to my defense, and this point may only make sense to those who have had the same experience, I've been so taken by exploring my identity as an artist because I felt lost before realizing that I love to create and inspire. I feel like a shadow stepping into human flesh for the first time. It's like I'm discovering what it means to be really human and alive for the first time.

So pardon my obsession, and you can feel free to tease me every now and then about my melodramatic, artsy ways;-)...only don't tease too much; you know we artists are sensitive;-).

"The Invitation" by Oriah

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love, for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shriveled and closed
from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own
without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied. I want to know what sustains you
from the inside when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

For the Artists/Creatives

Recently stumbled upon this blog by Favianna Rodriguez, a graphic artist and activist based out of Oakland, CA.

She has some great thoughts and advice for artists wanting to get disciplined about making strides in their craft.

Faithful Love (Part I)

This is an obligatory post in homage to Valentine's Day. I actually had another idea for a post that I was going to write about, then realized I should be timely and throw some kind of nod to V-day.

I partly didn't want to do a V-day post because I wanted to avoid sounding like a single, lonely, churchy girl throwing out cliches about how even though I'm single, God loves me. But I realized there's nothing cliche about Divine love, so hey some might label me a "single, lonely, churchy girl," but I'll take it because I know I'm loved:-).

So there's no romantic love to celebrate in my life, but I'm grateful to celebrate faithful love. Love revealed to me in the kindness of friends and strangers. Evidenced through the healing of deepest pain. Given by the ones who gave me life. Staring back at me from the mirror and defined by the One more faithful than faith.

Faithful Love Playlist

Here are 10 songs celebrating faithful love. So if you don't feel like rockin' out to mushy love songs or bitter anti-love songs, check out these:-) :

1. "Healed" Nichole Nordeman

We stutter and we stammer till You save us
A symphony of chaos till You play us...

Amazing lyrics. A beautiful song for broken hearts.

2. "Hold Me Now" Jennifer Knapp

Point your finger and laugh if you choose

To say my beloved is borrowed and used

She's strong enough to stand in my love...

I couldn't find this song anywhere online, but it's by one of my favorite artists. Another reminder of perfect love in the midst of our brokeness.

3. "Private Party" India.Arie

I’m having a private party
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’

baby look how far we’ve come
I’m havin’ a private party
Learning how to love me
Celebrating the woman I’ve become...

One of the most profound lessons I continue to learn is how to love myself, even in the moments when it feels hardest to do so.

4. "Back to Life" Corneille

You loved me back to life
You loved me back to life
Your love’s that powerful

I associate this song and the next one together because I combined them and made a little "Love Medley." Corneille's singing about another human, but his words describe the way God has been a mighty, loving grip holding me together when I'm falling apart.

5. "Love Like This" Natasha Bedingfield

All my memories, they've got you in them

No use climbin' trees with no leaves in them

All my broken dreams you fixed...

Again a song about human love that aptly describes the way God hasn't exactly fixed my broken dreams, but has given me new ones through His love.

6. "Kind and Generous" Natalie Merchant

You've been so kind and generous

I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
And I never could have come this far without you
For everything you've done, you know I'm bound

I'm bound to thank you for it....

Dedicated to all the friends, mentors and community that have shown me kindness along my journey.

7. "Your Joy" Chrisette Michele

No one loves me just like you do
No one knows me just like you do
No one can compare to the way my eyes fit in yours
You'll always be my father
And I'll always be your joy

I'm incredibly blessed to have a father who loves and cherishes me. He has never ceased to support and believe in me.

8. "Living Prayer" Alison Krauss

In Your love I find relief,
A haven from my unbelief.
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God, to Thee...

Not much I can add to the words of Alison Krauss

9. "None But Jesus" Brooke Fraser/Hillsong United

When You call I won't refuse

Each new day again I'll choose...

This is the song I always play when I feel jacked up and far from God. Somewhere within it I feel God come close, even when I feel unlovable.

10. "Faithful to Me" Jennifer Knapp

I have cast my lots, dropped my guard, searched aimlessly,
for faith to be faithful to me
Through another day, another trial,
Another chance to reconcile
To One who sees past all I've seen,
and reaching out my weary hand,
I pray that you'd understand,
You're the only one who's faithful to me...

Ending aptly with another beautiful song by Ms. Knapp that says it all.

The Quarter Jam

I'm officially 25! Actually I've been 25 for about a month now, since my birthday was in December, but for that doesn't dull the significance of this post. If I actually lived up to my noble intentions to post more regularly, I wouldn't be too months late on reporting events, but alas don't think it matters too much, since if I'm lucky I probably only have about a dozen readers:-).

Anyways, as I jump into the year, this is probably the second year in my whole life where I've had a real focus. My motivation? Recently accomplishing a goal that seemed completely out of reach at the beginning of 2009, but was officially reached December 6, 2009!

In March 2009 I decided that I was going to stop complaining about how I wanted to do something with music and actually did something. So I rounded up a band and set out to sing in an intimate concert for my friends and family on my birthday.

I got crazy nervous the day of the event and was seriously thinking of just showing up and letting everyone know that I wasn't gonna sing. Funny though, when I stepped up there and opened my mouth, it felt so natural. I can't say it was the most amazing show (maybe second most amazing;-) j/k), but what counts at this stage is just getting up there and opening my mouth to sing. There is much more to come:-D.

Video to come soon, but until then, groove out to Diana Ross' apropo (is that how you spell it?) song "I'm Coming Out," and check out shots taken by my talented photographer friends:

D gets credit for this one! Tryin' to be divas...

What kind of b/day wouldn't it be if I didn't shake it a little?!

Check out www.lizsong.com to see more work from the talented Liz!

Last, but not least, these are by H

Nyamcore!