05/3/12

Twilight by Chaelwest

 

 Exactly what is Twilight?

 It is that time of day to night that brings a sudden calm to the sky, a feeling of cessation to the busy day, moments of flame, azure purple, and crimson gold. It is a time of feeling confused as my eyes try to adjust to the fading natural light and headlights seem to pierce my very soul. Half-blind; half-sighted–climbing Nathan’s hill in a mad juggle with everyone else going home from work or errands. Sometimes it seems as if I will not survive this time of evening’s emergence. Tired, older eyes begin to play tricks upon the brain–scattering the rays of traffic lights in many directions, causing straight to appear curved, and curved to appear straight. I avoid driving at this time, especially in winter, preferring to be a passenger while warmth seeps out of the vents and curls itself in tendrils around my ankles.

 Then, eyes closed, I talk to God about many things–the beautiful day and its accomplishments, its many treasures, about love so real that it is tangible. As He speaks to my spirit I feel a gentle peace wash over me as dreams and goals become closer to fruition–as impossibilities seem possible. I am made of a different thread–spun into a garment of wonder and naive joy. No politician’s inclination here–this heart embraces everyone. I often wonder if what I see in me is what others see. Am I viewing a different person than other’s view? It is hard to discern the hearts and minds of others as I journey far and wide, oftentimes without taking a step. As I lie abed thousands of miles away from those I love–while other loved ones are so close they can be touched. Does this make the love less real? The distance?  Spirit knows no distance–love knows no boundaries. Twilight is where I now live. I am no longer in the sunshine of youth, nor am I approaching the dark of midnight. I live in that in-between place that is sacred and sure. I have seen many things as my journey has progressed. I dwell at the mountain’s top, starting to descend on the other side–a full day’s journey still ahead of me.

 

 credit: chaelwest@charlene’sattic.com

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02/28/12

120228 There Is Abundance In Store For Us All–A Vision From The LORD

 As I sit here at my computer, I am racing to get a vision down in writing that The LORD gave to me early this morning.

As I was lying in bed this morning talking to GOD to start my day, I suddenly saw a vision of several keyboards lined up on a vast wall. I was seeing them as if I were hovering in the air above them. They ranged starting from the left as a miniature model with few keys and no special accessories to a giant model that was the fanciest keyboard of them all. It had all the stops and whistles,and was without a doubt the fanciest, most capable keyboard that could be bought.

I have to ask myself, “Why is GOD showing me this vision at this point in my life”? I am watching newer, younger musicians come over the horizon, and I am questioning my own music strengths. It does no harm to examine your abilities in Christ–sometimes they need a poke or a prod to step up to the plate.

As I am growing older I am becoming aware of limitations placed upon my ability to minister. To say that these limitations are more in the physical than the spriritual is a given. I am sure that there are others who face this same crisis, and the zeal is even stronger in the Spirit to perform the work. I can think of many ways to try to slow the aging process: lose weight–that’s a good one, watch my diet; and get more stretches and exercises in than I presently do. The benefit would be to prolong my days, if GOD sees fit, in an effort to make any difference great or small in the work of the Kingdom. The Body does have parts, and I would truly enjoy fufilling what I consider to be my “reasonable service”.

As I sit and pray on the vision of the keyboards, I am led to remember instructions that GOD gave me many years ago to write songs and to play instruments. I have always loved music, and my first instrument was a piano. As a child in school I was introduced to a wind flute that looked like a fat cigar. It was called a Tonette, and I graduated from that to an autoharp, and then to an organ. I come from the Bible Belt and the piano and organ were the most prevalent of instruments played in church. Today, keyboards, electronic adaptations of the basic piano and organ predominate. The instruments may change but the methods remain the same.

Over the years, my abilities on the piano and keyboards have waxed and waned simply due to having two pianists in my household. There has been no pressure to play. Christina and Elizabeth both play well, and their understanding of music is a reflection of my own investment into them as children. Time is going to change their proximity to me, however, and it is crucial for me to reinvest in my own musical abilities. GOD is my judge, and I rely on Him to guide me and strengthen my hands to the task.

The LORD gave my family two scriptures recently–Deuteronomy 30:19 and Jeremiah 29:11. The former scripture expresses choice between cursing and blessing in order to live abundant life; the latter literally states, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD– Plans to prosper you and not to harm, plans to give you hope and a future”.

I am to direct and retrain my paths toward music ministry and teaching ministry. Music is the language of GOD, and The Word is also the language of GOD. The spoken word exhorts upon the strength of GOD’s music.

Is music simply notes? Can music be words or expressions? I believe that it can be, so this is what I believe GOD is speaking to me in this vision: “Train your eyes, ears, tongue, larnyx, heart, and spirit to seek the ways of the LORD”. Whether physical music or spiritual music–it is all applicable to the Kingdom of Heaven.  I am to minister in word and music. Where to minister is GOD’s choice. I am simply to follow His leading.

 

Psalm 114

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 114

 1 When Israel came out of Egypt,
   Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,
2 Judah became God’s sanctuary,
   Israel his dominion. 3 The sea looked and fled,
   the Jordan turned back;
4 the mountains leaped like rams,
   the hills like lambs.

 5 Why was it, sea, that you fled?
   Why, Jordan, did you turn back?
6 Why, mountains, did you leap like rams,
   you hills, like lambs?

 7 Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord,
   at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 who turned the rock into a pool,
   the hard rock into springs of water.

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