It happened again.
Sunday morning we had recording artist Jana Jackson with us during worship. Her strong, powerhouse of a voice filled the 1st Naz worship center, blessing everyone’s socks off! I was, too, wearing some. I got a little class, here. Keep up.
Every song reminded me why it’s such a blessing to back up somebody like Jana whose joy in Christ is SO evident and Christian witness so authentic. Yes, we’d practiced for weeks prior to Sunday so we’d not totally embarrass her. So, yes, we knew the songs ahead of time; knew the lyrics, understood the music and rhythms . . .
There’s a difference between practice and The Performance. Those of you who’ve done it get that. Your spirit gets intertwined with the lyrics, the sweep of the soul in response to the music and The Message.
Some of you pretty well know my story: had it not been for God deciding to leave me here against all expectations of modern medicine and the dead-certain prognoses, I’d have died back in Spring of ’97.
There are some songs that just radiate and irradiate God’s story being told through my life.
We sang one of them with Jana last Sunday. I’ve been humming and singing it to myself ever since. I fell asleep last night with its powerful response to God’s grace running through my mind. I awoke this morning, early, with those same potent words – and the thoughts driving them – filling my mind and heart.
Let me share it with you before I finish writing . . .
“For Every Mountain”
I’ve got so much to thank God for
So may blessings and so many open doors
A brand new mercy
Along with each new day
That’s why I praise You
For this I give You praise
For waking me up this morning
That’s why I praise You
For starting me on my way
That’s why I praise You
For letting me see the sunlight of a brand new day
A brand new mercy along with each new day
That’s why I praise You
For this I give You praise
You’re Jehovah Jireh
That’s why I praise You
You’ve been my provider
That’s why I praise You
So many times You met my need, So many times You rescued me
That’s why I praise You
I wanna thank You for the blessings You give to me each day
That’s why I praise You
For this I give You praise
For every mountain You brought me over
For every trial you’ve seen me through
For every blessing
Hallelujah, for this I give You praise
That’s why I praise You
For starting me on my way
That’s why I praise You
For letting me see the sunlight of a brand new day
A brand new mercy along with each new day
That’s why I praise You
For this I give You praise . . .”
- If something I have written has touched your heart and life in helpful ways, pay it forward by telling those you know about this wacky chaplain you know who occasionally seems to write stuff that mysteriously hits close to home and really encourages.
- And be praying for me. Writing well is demanding work.
Composer Leonard Bernstein once said, “Inspiration is wonderful when it happens, but the writer must develop an approach for the rest of the time.” “It requires the eye of wisdom and bravery to see the radiance of a dark day, and impart its brightness to the world. – Ella E. Dodson
“You can’t think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write yourself out of a thinking block.”—John Rogers “Make yourself necessary to somebody.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson “Peace is not something you wish for; it’s something you make, something you do, something you are, something you give away.” – Robert Fulghum “If you want the best the world has to offer, offer the world your best.” – Neale Donald Walsch
Does that sound like it’s easy? Writing that touches the reader, sometimes in spite of their defenses, only seems easy to someone who’s never done it.
To write in ways that touch your heart, connect with your mind and make you think, “Yeah–I’ve felt that way. Been there” calls for sustained hours of disciplined solitude. That’s not so tough for me. It also compels me to put myself into the words, giving you little windows into my own thoughts, dreams, passions and inadequacies. That is tough for me. I’m an Intuitive Introvert by nature. Making myself vulnerable to you is a matter of courage.
It shouldn’t surprise you, then, to see that I collect the deeper thoughts of other writers. Let me share one more with you:
The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature. – C. S. Lewis
My desire is to write ‘good literature’ better every day. To write good literature to and for you that walks where you do, being a familiar companion to you. A comfortable friend who, while never being ‘preachy’ still gives you no doubt that I am an unembarrassed, unafraid, positive follower of Jesus Christ.
Will you see my work, my passion on bookshelves? That is my goal and it would be nice to be recognized for the time and work involved in producing what I do. Then, too, since this is a God thing, I expect He’ll help that become a reality. Above all, however, I wish to see my work, my passion reflected in your heart, mind and spirit. I wish to help make a positive, strengthening difference in you: to lift, encourage, edify and challenge you on to personal and spiritual excellence.
If I’m successful at that, then all the mountains and trials are being worth it.
This issue is my birthday gift, 2nd Cup friend, to you.
I love you and I believe in you!
© D. Dean Boone, September 2014