Leaky Shoes with a Good Umbrella

There is an Irish proverb which states:

“It’s no use carrying an umbrella if your shoes are leaking.”

My dog Fritz and I are here to say that this is a very true statement.  I just attempted to take him outside for his morning walk in a steady rain that shows no signs of letting up for the next few days, according to the weatherman.  He looked at me at the doorway with the big sad eyes you see here.  He is part poodle, and has a distinct dislike of getting his feet wet.  I carried a big umbrella, and he pushed that little doggie body as close to my legs as he could.  But it was no use.  We both got our feet wet, very wet, and the umbrella just seemed silly after awhile.  Now that we are both drying off and gearing up for our next foray into the wild, I thought about other stuff, like how I try to make everything in my life seem good and dry and perfect on the outside, while sometimes my shoes, my foundation, my base is leaking.  When I lose track of the things that are really important in my life, like God, and my family, and my friends, and start just focusing on my umbrella of how the house looks, how many things I have to get done, my shoes are leaking, and the umbrella is rather silly and useless.

May you have sturdy shoes and no need for an umbrella!  🙂  Slainte, Lisa

Singing a New Song

I want to sing a new song.  Something different, something new, something that I haven’t sung before.  The biggest fear as a songwriter is writing something that sounds like another song.  Yet I’m surrounded by influences, music echoing through my mind all day.

So I guess you take the good, discard the bad, and try to put your own spin on the song the best you can.  And look above for the inspiration, for the creative spark which originates from God.

Here’s a clip of U2 singing “40”, based on Psalm 40, filmed at Red Rocks.  “I will sing, sing a new song.”

Picking a Favorite

Many different instruments can be used to create the wonder that is celtic music.  Fiddle, tinwhistle, low whistle, guitar, accordian, bodhran drum, uillean pipes, hammered dulcimer, piano…..I’m sure I’m leaving out some, but you get the basic idea.  The other day as I was listening to a recording I tried to decide which instrument was my very favorite…the one I would miss the most if it was missing.  The winner?……..

The tinwhistles and low whistles…without a doubt.  Very expressive instruments that seem to “sing” the Irish melodies with just the right amount of melancholy or joy, depending on the tune.  I have some whistles, and have yet to capture the right sound.  Oh, I can play most of the notes, but there is so much more than that…the small little turns and dips and expression that makes it such a wonderful instrument.  But I’m glad I can’t play them right yet; it gives me something to work on to keep me out of trouble!  🙂

Enjoy whatever kind of music you’re listening to today, and sing to the Lord a new song!  Slainte, Lisa

*Picture via Google images*

Three Folds in my Garment

Three folds in  my garment

Yet only one garment I bear

Three joints in a finger

Yet only one finger is there

Three leaves in a shamrock

Yet only one shamrock I wear

Frost, ice and snow

Yet these three are nothing but water

Three persons in God

Yet only one God is there

-Irish blessing-

Thank you, God, for being an amazing, mind-blowing, beyond-my-imagination God.  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Forever and ever.

Slainte, Lisa

Crossed Wires

We thought that the sound system had finally given up on us…the trusty sound system that had carried voices and instruments for concerts over the last 20 years had had enough.  There was no electricity in the outlets at the outdoor venue in which we were setting up…no time for a sound check before the electricity finally surged back into the lines.  A horrible buzzing sound emitted from the speakers.

Last night, we set the whole system up again in our dining room.  And lo and behold, we discovered that we had put two wires in the wrong places.  The good old sound system sounded crystal clear and was raring to go.  Which of course prompted an impromptu concert at home for my poor children to have to listen to.  🙂

Being hooked up to the right source is crucial; our energy flows, and we feel alive and well and purposeful.  Having our wires crossed, or connecting to bad sources, leads to confusion, unusefulness, and no direction.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  (John 10:10b)

Have a wonderful, God-powered day!  Slainte, Lisa