“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
–Matthew 6:24 World English Bible (WEB)
A reminder to seek God’s Kingdom (Heaven within) first, and everything we need will be added (Matt. 6:33). And while we’re thankful for degrees, jobs, projects, our families, friends, and accomplishments in the world, we cannot serve the world and gain lasting security.
He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?
–Luke 9″23-25 (WEB)
With this knowing in my heart, I gratefully acknowledge my Master of Metaphysical Science degree (4/4/14). But the credit is not mine; without God working through me, I would not have this and indeed would not have Life at all.
Master
Not master of others
Or master of things,
I’m master of nothing,
For God is my King.
So deep in my Heart,
My Soul and my Mind,
I turn to the Master
Beyond space and time.
Not tied to a program
Conferring degrees,
The Lord of Creation
Is Master of me.
And all that “I do”
Is done by The One.
For Love is a river,
And through me it runs.
And when I can’t see Him,
I reach for the Truth,
For to master myself
He carries me through.
Not master of others
Or master of things,
I’m master of nothing,
For God is my King.
In the piles of junk, God waits. In the people so excited to find that special thing, those canning jars, fishing tackle, car parts, musical instruments, God stirs.
God breathes in those who know, “All right, it’s time. Time for this, that, this and that to go. It’s no use to me anymore. It’s junk but maybe someone else can use it.”
God is in the relief they feel when someone buys up their old stuff. God is in the coins and bills exchanged. God is in the joy of having money to save or spend, and having a clean basement, closet or garage.
God is in the people who go home ecstatic, the kids with their new old stuffed animals, The mothers with their purses and skirts, crock pots and someone else’s nana’s china. The bachelors with their motorcycle helmets and tool boxes. The fathers with their swing sets, slides, play houses, breathing a sigh of relief, “Thank God it’s in good condition!” Realizing they got a bargain and they’re grateful for it, even though they tell you only women are bargain hunters.
God is at the yard sale. Within the stereotypes, within the piles of junk, inside the bargain hunters, and right there guiding the people who decide what to sell. God is there. At the yard sale and beyond, before, and after.
So the next time you visit a yard sale, and you will, you know, remember: God is in the people passing on their things. God is in the things themselves, that like their former owners, are getting a clean slate today. And God is in you, yes, even at a yard sale.
Another song written over 10 years ago that expresses more truth than I realized at the time. Listen to the songs on the radio today. And think back to songs you heard and/or enjoyed as a child or teenager. What do they all have in common? They tell the story of society’s values–or lack thereof–and paint a general picture of human consciousness.
For example, think about what, if anything, today’s songs say about the following:
Love relationships?
Money?
Health?
Stress?
Birth, life, and death?
Relaxation–or not!
When songs speak of these things, it’s usually in a negative way:
I lost my love and now he/she has to pay.
I’m broke. (The end i.e. therefore I am nothing)
I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. But I can’t do anything about it so I’ll just complain…
I’m stressed, so I’ll escape into something else (drugs, alcohol, sex, shopping, even reading or watching movies. Oh, and coffee, anyone?)
Birth: Kids are expensive, another mouth to feed. And for women especially, pain, sacrifice, and a perceived loss of identity.
Life: What’s the point? I’m lost. Don’t know where to go but I want to return to where I’ve been. Living in the past, “The good ol’ days…” I.e. we don’t live in the present moment, even in our music!
Death: I want to die–in one breath. This world is not my home–but not said in a positive way. And yet, where will I go after death? And what about all my stuff?
Relax? Me? But what will I do then?
In short, songs are just as focused on negativity as, well, everything else we produce! And why is that? Because above all, we have a negative state of mind, heart, being, and personal identity.
Listen to even a few popular songs, and you’ll probably discover the same thing.
And so: I charge myself and fellow songwriters to picture something better: a spiritually whole, mentally sound, emotionally strong, and physically healthy person, and to hold this vision for every person. Holding this vision is why I’m a spiritually-oriented songwriter, and for this I give thanks!
And for everyone who listens to music, as most of us do, please, listen consciously! And start choosing music that lifts you up, instead of validating negativity.
1. In today’s society
Of fun, things and propriety,
The music tells a lot, you know,
Of when we come and where we go.
For all time, through many things,
The music tells the way it is.
2. In the 1920’s, too,
The people questioned what was true.
The music told of fun and dress,
Of things found out, and questions asked.
For all time, through many things,
The music tells the way it is.
3. Back when the whites owned the blacks
And stood whipping their tired backs,
The slave songs told of God’s great Peace,
For they knew they would leave this place.
For all time, through many things,
The music tells the way it is.
Whether this particular form of poetry is Irish or not, here are 3 that bring the often uncouth, naughty Limerick to another level. And why not? The rhythm and rhyme are irresistible, so we may as well use them for good!
There was a young girl named Mercedes
Who lived on the river Euphrates.
When she started to think
She created a stink,
And the clay of her mind became Hades!
There was once a young lady so “nice”
That she took everybody’s advice
Till the effort to please
Brought her soul to its knees
And she chose all its flavor and spice!
You are where you are and that’s that.
And wherever you go that’s a fact.
You are here by design
In this place at this time
So don’t wait! Just be great where you’re at!
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