The morning papers make the most out of nothing at all

(Skip to the last paragraph if you don't feel like reading but want something to think about)

I suppose the lack of blogs is due to the fact that I've had nothing to say lately. Or, that I've been doing so much that I haven't had time to ponder it all in a carefully worded blog. As I've been in Northern Ireland, I've gotten more in touch with my creative side. And upon embracing the right side of my brain more frequently, I've become a lot less organized. I realize that writing is an art form, but for me it's a way to organize my thoughts as well. Therefore, the lack of writing stemming from my lack of organization. Maybe? I'm thinking of printing out my blogs & stapling them into my journal, which is looking bare itself.

This blistery Sunday afternoon started out with good intentions to take a walk & say goodbye to a couple more of those leftover Christmas cookies. But then Lorraine sparked the fire in the fireplace, & the living room was so cozy, &, ahh, I kind of just sat & didn't get up. Sitting in a good way though; I'd like to take a picture of the living room at the moment because it is an array of colored markers, a couple notebooks, my violin, my mac (opened to garage band for music-making), and two books (my Bible & The Shack, to be specific). So despite being temporarily glued to the floor, it was still a colorful, musical, and wholeheartedly whimsical & productive afternoon!

I shared this whimsical productive experience with Sufjan Stevens. He's been playing from my computer all afternoon. My thoughts of Mr Stevens are only good ones; his uncoventional music makes me feel exuberantly frolicsome (...thank you, Thesaurus), and while it may seem idiosyncratic (mmm yes Thesaurus strikes again) to those who are less offbeat than myself, I'd recommend that everybody give him a listen. Not only are the titles of his songs outstanding by themselves, the lyrics inside each song envelop the soul. I never realized how spiritual some of his lyrics are until I heard his version of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" (a common hymn) and began listening to his lyrics more closely. Here's some of my favs:

"& I'm joining every thought to you, & I'm preparing every part for you" ["All the Trees of the Forest Will Clap Their Hands"]
I relate this line completely to my relationship with God, as I strive to make every one of my thoughts & every aspect of my life of & for Him. I won't ever accomplish the plan He has for my life without doing just that.

"Dear Mr. Supercomputer" --- What a song!
"Springfield with its freak and banter strike the cantor 'God is dead, God is dead'"
I'd say that line summarizes our world. The American ideal, "In God We Trust" remains just that, an ideal. As our world turns to horoscopes and underground magazines to find the meaning of life, the Bible is left in the dust. To try to gain wisdom, we have thrown true Wisdom away.

"I rejoice in what I carry in my heart. It overwhelms what a man, Great Emancipation plans."
And yes. The reason for the title of my blog. The freedom that God offers through his Son, Jesus... it is indeed overwhelming. It's what makes me so passionate. When Jesus was nailed to that cross, all of our burdens, worries, fears, sorrows, were nailed there with Him. They died with Him, &, unlike Jesus, they weren't resurrected. And so we are FREE from them! We are more free than we allow ourselves to be most of the time (Read Colossians 2:13-15 in case I'm wrong).

Check out these songs as well: "Carlyle Lake", "Woman at the Well", & "Chicago"

Love.