Rhythms of Grace

Healing for My Soul

  " 'Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, "Live!"   I made you grow like a plant of the field. You grew up and developed and became the most beautiful of jewels. Your breasts were formed and your hair grew, you who were naked and bare.

" 'Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine.

" 'I bathe you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you.
(Ezekiel 16:6-9, NIV)

Well, I don't know who this is for, but I can't stop feeling today like somebody needs a healing in her (or his) soul. A covering of your nakedness. An exchange of the spirit of heaviness for the garment of praise.

Maybe, just maybe, that person is me.

There is a joy that the world can't give and the world can't take a way. A cleansing deep down and good all the way through. A healing for your soul. For some of us, it might even be  the first time. We might be still out there kicking in our own blood, trying in our own strength, while the Lord of all watches on.

Waiting.

Let's not make Him wait today. Cry out wherever you are. Go to your car if you have to, but God is here today with healing in His wings.

And He even brought clothes.

THOUGH PEOPLE MAY LOOK AT US AND SEE FAILURE. JESUS SEES FUTURE. HE IS ALWAYS WAITING TO HEAR...AND TO HEAL!

Today's Grace:
Father God,
We thank You for being the healer of our souls, the God of all comfort. Even when we don't understand, even when we can't tell anybody how bad we're hurting, You don't wait for us to come to You. You meet us where we are with cleansing and healing. With power. May we access Your power today and walk in victory over all our broken places.

In the powerful and mighty name of Jesus, Amen

Today's Rhythm: Kelly Price, Healing for My Soul

Looking For You

For all those things My hand has made,    And all those things exist,”  Says the LORD.  “ But on this one will I look:  On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,  And who trembles at My word. (Isaiah 66:2, NKJV)

I missed y'all. Trust that I did. But in all things there is one rule for me--protect the work. And so I did. I am. Sometimes that means being here. Today it does and I hope for next not too few tomorrows.

There are some great things on the horizon: new releases, new covers, a summer tour. Busy and good things. Explosive things. Things are about to blow up for you too. I hear the ticking in the Spirit. God is looking...for you.

Today's Grace:

Father,

I thank You for seeing me, for seeing us, when we think no one can. Thank you for being there for all the valleys and the mountain tops too. Stir up in us all the potential You gave us before the foundation of the earth. Help us to see ourselves as we appear under the blood of Christ and to act and live accordingly. May our eyes be fixed on the cross today. Our hands too.

In Christ's name, Amen.

Today's Rhythm: Looking for You, Kirk Franklin

God is Able

 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.   But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18, NIV)

Sorry for the silence last week. I was pondering the resurrection and celebrating the birthday of my youngest, who just turned five. It struck me that I spent the weeks leading to his birth rewriting Rhythms of Grace and I spent some of last week doing the same thing. It struck me because that book had been declared dead.

Well, God specializes in raising the dead. Dead relationships, dead dreams, even dead folks. He doesn't always show up when we expect or in the ways that we want, but He is able to walk with us amidst the fire, to lay aside our grave clothes and roll away even the biggest stones.

Not just on holidays, but on every day of every year, Jesus is in the resurrection business. So whatever it is in your life that has been declared dead, put it in your hands and wrap it up tight, scented it with the perfume of your best prayers and offer it up to the risen One who is able to quicken both the living and the dead.

DON'T GIVE UP. LOOK UP. HE WHOM THEY CRUCIFIED IS YET ALIVE!

Today's Grace: Father God, I thank you that man doesn't have the last word. I praise you that even when the doctor says no, when folks shake their heads and turn away, when our best things begin to rot and stink, you come and breathe life into our lives. May every person reading this be blessed with a miracle of resurrection in some area of their lives. We don't know what You will do, O God, but we declare today that you ARE able! And we thank you and praise you for it.

In Christ's name, Amen.

Today's Rhythm: God is Able, Smokie Norful

Ta Ta You Jesus

'Write as often as possible, not with the idea at once of getting into print, but as if you were learning an instrument.' --J B Priestley

We've talked a lot the past few weeks about the metaphor of writing as music: short exercises as the notes, short stories as the scales and songs, a novel as a collection of the former. It's tempting, I think to dive in with "your novel" and set a time line for all being published. Though it's possible, it doesn't allow time for the development of voice, that intangible thing that makes one writer sound different from another.

Like the best singers love to sing, a writer must fall in love with words. Not words in print or even written down, but the childish rhythm of words that keeps time in our dreams. Just as we must come to faith as little children, we must set aside time to approach our writing in this way too. Sometimes the big idea is nothing more than a daydream in fancy clothes. Take some time today and allow yourself to play with words, painting with your fingers all the phrases that might not make sense to someone else. If you've got a novel other other piece in progress, take a scene and rewrite it from the same character's point of view--only as a child. You may stumble on a great insight into the main question of all fiction: Why?

I remember doing this with Adrian from Made of Honor. He had a chip in his tooth, but I didn't know why. I did a journal in his voice (not for the book, just background work) and realized that Dana had chipped it when they were younger by jumping over him at the skating rink. He'd gone down to keep her from falling. From there, I saw clearer who he was and who the two of them were together. Though I didn't plan it, several scenes that ended up in the book were written right then. So, slow down and play around. It won't hurt anything.

Today's Grace:

Father God, Thank you for the reminder to come to You as little children. Help us to remember how to truly open our hands and hearts so that You can fill us with Your best gifts. Thank you for the children in our lives who remind us not to take ourselves too seriously, but rather to be serious about You.

In Jesus' name, Amen

Today's Rhythm: Ta Ta You Jesus, Kirk Whalum

Writing exercise: Set your timer for 8 minutes. Describe the room you're in from the point of view of one of the objects in the room. Go!

Related Posts:

Eight Minute Exercises #1

Eight Minute Exercises #2

Eight Minute Exercises #3

The Question Is

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV)

Today's Grace:
Father God,
Thank you for going ahead to prepare the places we're going to. Help us to be strong and courageous and keep on the path, Your path. May our love, perfected, cast out all fear. Bring encouraging, positive people into our lives.

In Jesus' name, Amen

Today's Rhythm: The Question Is, The Winans

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Walk With Me

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. (Psalm 138:7, NIV)

Sorry for the silence. Sinus infection had me in lu-lu land for a couple days. I'll try and catch up next week. In the mean time, there's been some good stuff going on (progress on the new book and edits on Rhythms of Grace). Some hard things too.  Some hurtful things. One thing about being open, blogging and trying to help others is that some people use your generosity against you. Nothing hurts worse than seeing your words where they don't belong. That's been happening more and more to me over the past two years. I guess sometimes it doesn't pay for me to be Mary with people. It's safest to stay Marilynn.

And yet, as one of my characters says, He never promised me safety. The promise is that He will walk with me, over the waters, through the fire...

Through it all.

And we'll make it, won't we? As long as He walks with us.

Today's Grace:

Father God,
Thank you for your protection. Put a hedge around us. Guide us with your mighty hand. Give us wisdom about what to give and what to hold back, when to speak and when to keep still. Set your ministering angels, flames of fire, over all that concerns us. Help us to keep walking, even when we get tired.

In Christ's name, Amen.

Today's Rhythm: Walk with Me, Lizz Wright

You raise me Up

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10, NIV)

In many cities, less than 35% of at-risk boys are graduating from high school. Alex Ellis, a New Jersey clothier and author of Redefining the Male Image has set out to change that. His program, Tied to Greatness, goes to urban centers around the country and brings in notable men in entertainment, arts, business and industry to teach at-risk boys how to tie a necktie. This rite of passage might have been taught by a father or grandfather in the past in preparation for church or some special event. For many families, those days and those figures in the home are long gone. Each participant receives a copy of Mr. Ellis's book, participates in a ceremony and pledges to stay in school. There is also an essay contest. The winner will be a awarded one of Mr. Ellis' custom suits with all the accessories.

Tied to Greatness has targeted 4,000 boys across the country to be part of the remaining 2008 tour. The upcoming cities are: Dallas, TX - (March 14), Cleveland, OH - (March 28), Los Angeles, CA - (April 4), Detroit, MI - (April 11), Chicago, IL - (April 18), and Newark, NJ - (May 2). If you are in any of these cities (or anywhere really), please pray about donating or participating. Retail or corporate donations of ties would probably be especially appreciated. Check out the Tied to Greatness website for more information.

What I love about this program is that one man took something that was part of his life and mission and found a way to bless others with it. I can just see Flex from the Shades of Style series scrambling so that he and Jay could have been a part of this! (I actually thought this). Still, think about what's in your hands right now, what's on your heart. How could you use it to bless someone? To tie your purpose with your passion? I'll be here musing on it too, but in the meantime, check out Tied to Greatness.

Today's Rhythm:

Father God,

Bless Tied to Greatness and all they are doing with young men. May every young man who participates come away a sense of hope and knowing that someone cares about him. Supply every need for all the ties, men, publicity and supplies needed for this project. May each boy know that these things come from You and that You will guide them into their destiny. Bless everyone reading with a vision, both for ministry and mastery, purpose and passion.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today's Rhythm: You Raise Me Up, Selah

Always and Forever

          "Write what should not be forgotten…" Isabel Allende

Some of my favorite writings will never be published for the public (though you've seen some of it on this blog). They are remembrances, cracks in time that hold pieces of me. My poems especially hold these captured moments and help me to imagine snapshots of my characters' lives.

The other day, I was nine years old, standing in the hallway at my aunt's house. The air is thick with afro sheen and Old Spice. My cousin is in front of me, in the bathroom doorway. He's picking his afro to amazing heights. Always and Forever is playing somewhere in the house. He starts to sing, my cousin, who all the girls in my class think is cuter than Michael Jackson. I think he's just my cousin, but I like all his girlfriends and how nice he is to my friends. His singing is off key, but his sincerity, especially how he closes his eyes on the high notes, makes up for it. He turns to me, smiles and pats his hair. I nod, agreeing that it's perfect. As he walks by, I inhale deeply, catching the Jergen's lotion and Vaseline I missed before. I wonder, maybe for the first time if love might be real after all.

When I write my books, I am often still that girl in the hall, catching a moment I didn't expect, even though it traveled to me through my own fingers. My cousin is married with grown children now. Johnnie Wilder Jr., the lead singer of Heatwave, died recently (after spending most of his life in a wheelchair from an accident not long after today's video). And yet, sometimes I catch myself humming the song at a red light and thinking of shiny shirts with skyscrapers and cake cutter hair picks the my grandmother believed would put all our eyes out, boys becoming men in summertime...

Writers die, but our words live on. The trick sometimes is learning what to keep, what needs not be forgotten. Today, we'll take a step further on that journey.

Peace,
Marilynn

Today's Grace:
Father God,
Thank you for our memories. Good or bad, they are ours. Show us how to capture our memories and the new experiences You have planned for us. Help us to love the people around us, keeping in mind that any moment has the potential to become a memory.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today's Rhythm: Always and Forever, Heatwave

Today's writing exercise: Set your timer for eight minutes. Remember a moment in your childhood associated with a song. Start writing and don't stop until the timer goes off!

Jesus Musik

Sing to the LORD a new song;  sing to the LORD, all the earth. (Psalm 96:1)

Sometimes God sends you friends to help you get over the deep places or to help you up off the ground.

Sometimes not.

Sometimes, you've got to find your own voice and cry out to your God, asking Him which way to go and when to step out. God's will and God's timing are both crucial to finding your tune - the beat that only you can play. It's music written with your tears, sprinkled with your laughter, words that only you can speak.

And only God can give them to you.

So, don't fret if you can't find a mentor. I didn't get one either. Sometimes God gives you Himself instead, burning without being consumed, dancing in a desert waiting for you. Some people get a guide, other folks get a bush. If you walk up on fire, don't be disappointed, just take off your shoes...

And listen for the music that comes after.

Father God,

Thank you for the experiences you've given us, the high and low notes that make us who we are. Give us a clear vision of the people and purpose to whom we are called. Help us share your glory with the world in a new and fresh way, a way they can understand. Help us to get free of our own ideas so that we can receive Your God ideas instead.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today's Rhythm: Jesus Musik, Lacrae (featuring Trip Lee)

Hit the Ground

Driven into the ground, you'll speak, you'll mumble words from the dirt--Your voice from the ground, like the muttering of a ghost. Your speech will whisper from the dust.(Isaiah 29:4, MSG)

Last week, I was going to share with you two friends, but I realized quickly that there were too many words, too many tears for one post. For some reason, I can't get the type to go black today, it's gray, which is fitting for me to tell you about Dr. Gail Hayes, a preacher, teacher, author and friend who knows how to live in black and white, how to read life between the lines.

I met her online, in the Fellowship of Christian Writers, I think. Someone had accidentally sent a post to the list about the lack of writers in color in Christian publishing and Dr. Gail responded with so much grace and honestly that I wrote her immediately. I read her book, Daughters of the King, and remembered who I'd been made to be, heard the music humming beneath my pulse.

We didn't email much after that because Dr. Gail started calling me on the phone. I didn't know what to make of that, since hiding behind the computer is what most people do these days, but when I heard her voice, it was like honey and fire all mixed together. She called that first time on a day when I was on my face in the dust. I'd waded through the water and gotten over the river, but now, contract in hand, there was a desert, a land of jagged dirt and the only way out was to go through.

Dr. Gail is going through friend.

Through rewrites and meltdowns, questions about being real when everything seemed fake and when there just seemed no place for me to fit, no room for me to breathe, the phone would ring.

"Just hit the ground running, baby. God put you here. Nobody can take that away. Nobody."

I nodded then. I'm nodding now. She and Mair put their arms around my neck and whispered sweet sistah stuff to me. They lifted their skirts and showed me their scars. I cried and laughed and showed them mine. That became the word that woke me in the night in 2004: Sistahfaith. That became friendship.

This week Dr. Gail is in Korea teaching women to walk into their destinies. Though they may not speak English, it won't take a translator to make them understand. Some things are clear. As clear as mud.

PS.

If you're interested in writing for children, check out Dr. Gail's conference for children's writers, Write 2 Ignite.

Today's Grace:

Father God,

Thank you for Dr. Gail. Hold up her hands as she lifts up those who are face down in the dirt, whispering to You. Bless her for speaking identity, purpose and destiny into so many ministries and congregations. May everything she has given come back to her one hundred fold, pressed down, shaken together and running over. Help us all to reach out to someone this week and help them dust themselves off and keep going.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today's Rhythm:Hit the Ground, Lizz Wright

Balm in Gilead

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? (Jeremiah 8:22, NIV)

The scripture above is one of the base scriptures for Sistahfaith: Stories of Hope and Healing from Women Believing Beyond Shame (Kimani Press, 2009). It was my first nonfiction project and again and again while reading the stories of the contributors I was brought to tears by the healing and restoring power of God. The same scripture touched me deeply during the writing of Pink, Shades of Style #1. I hadn't meant for the book to center around AIDS in the Black community, sexual purity or any of that. In fact, until the Publisher's Weekly reviewer expressed disbelief that AIDS actually affected black folks in disproportionate numbers (I guess they thought I made that up too!) I hadn't thought about it much except to add information in the back of the book about Balm in Gilead, a nonprofit organization focused on HIV/AIDS in the African diaspora (everywhere slave ships touched ground). This week, they are celebrating the Annual Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS.

Though you may not attend a black church (neither do I, though I grew up in one) I think it's a good prayer focus for THE church in general as AIDS is devastating so many around the world. As a black woman living in a state with one of the nation's highest AIDS rates (Florida) I see children being orphaned right here on our soil. Check out some of Balm in Gilead's statistics and some of their initiatives for more information, but please join us in prayer this week and if you haven't picked up Pink, do get a copy and give it to a young person of color in your community and if you have read it, please pass on a copy to your church youth group or library. Of all the books I've written, I get the most email from young people on this book and always they are either proclaiming their vow to stay sexually pure or trying to find a way out of today's vicious cycle of hooking up and friends withOUT benefits. That said, let's pray.

Today's Grace:

Father God,

We thank you for your Word and the blood of Your Son. I come before you with my people, our people, your people and ask You to heal the wound of AIDS/HIV in our country and throughout Africa and the world. Give us ears to hear and a heart to obey Your word in regards to sex and have mercy on those of us who have made bad decisions or suffered for the bad decisions of others. Be the Great Physician to us and apply Your healing balm to our community and to our hearts.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today's Rhythm: Balm in Gilead, Karen Clark Sheard