lifeline....from a friend

Lina,

I wish that I could paint the tainted shades of my soul a refreshing blue hue. Sometimes my heart grows weary and the day seems to go on and on, yet I am letting it all unfold. All the leaves of tree of life all and the petals of the rose garden that surround it can't be opened by my hand. I have to wait for spring to let them bloom. Even in winter I feel the rays of light that will soon yield a pasture filled with green grass. For just a moment, I wish that I could I just sit and watch it all unfold. Yet, I am too busy to watch anything at all.

I felt that way a lot earlier this year. Yet, I am learning to step back from myself. Being alive in Christ means we are dead to ourselves. Our burdens are light because we travel down life's road with a compassionate companion. He is with us in the darkness of the night and heralds the morning in. It is hard to just let life unfold and watch the miracles come forth. Everyday is another chance to reconcile our hopes with his promises. He said he would never leave you and he hasn't. He said he would never forsake you and you have been cared for. You know that he has his hands on you and that is more than anyone can ask for.

Lina Bello

Relentless. Looks forward to the future and goes in the direction with fierce determination that is hard to dispirit. Always manages to negate her struggles with a well timed self-deprecating comment. Yet, nothing can lessen anyone's admiration of her strong resolve. Still proceeding to the distant light of tomorrows dreams she often takes you along for the ride. What a wonderful thing it is to have a vision and a purpose.

I wrote that a few months ago I still believe it to be true. Your purpose is to dream a thousand dreams and have faith that they will unfold. There is nothing silly about your goals. Why is it that we marvel at Renaissance men that did it all and laugh at people who want to accomplish more than two things in a life time? There is no good reason I can thing of; you can have multiple career tracks and see visions.

Visions of a Sunset

Lived all my days
Trying to embrace
Life with my heart
By all the beauty I feel and create

It spins and moves
Flows at my pace
Telling its story
From the tear running down my face

Visions of a sunset
Just appear when I close my eyes
Takes my closer to heaven
When the flute starts to fly and the violin cries

Confusion leaves
While peace orchestrates
Runs through my veins
And in other seekers it penetrates

My reason why
The big city air smells so sweet
Takes me through journeys in time
From my youth to as far as I can see

Visions of a sunset
Just appear when I close my eyes
Takes my closer to heaven
When the flute starts to fly and the violin cries

It's all I need in my life (Whoa, whoa)
It's all I need and no one (It's all I need in my life)
Can take your place by my side
You're all inside of me

Visions of a sunset
Just appear when I close my eyes
Takes my closer to heaven
When the flute starts to fly and the violin cries

I will flee from all sorrow
Like the wind blows from the sky
Takes my closer to heaven
When the flute starts to fly and the violin cries
-Shawn Stockman

That song reminds me so much of your wanderlust for a bigger life, but all that you ever needed is inside of you. Christ's reflection can be seen in the eyes that love him. And I see a lot of Jesus in you. I see a lot of grace and humility. Yet, you are still all too human. And you shouldn't hold that against yourself. If Christ is faithful and just to forgives our sins can't we do the same for ourselves. Forgive yourself for not being the all that you want to be. Your not Jarrod on "The Pretender" moving shiftlessly through life without any anchor. You have family and friends that love you. You may not be able to transform over night but in time you can be much more than you ever imagined, if you yield to God's plan and let it all unfold. Don't worry He only gives you stuff when you are ready.

Inspirational thought from my friend Ralph. Thanks buddy! I needed it

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i am here, sitting behind the wheel of my car
mind full of wonder and my mind is spinning
what is it that i want to do with my life?
as i try and concentrate on the road in front of me

and so i keep on driving
wanting to go passed the desired destination
because right now, i find no solution
in the horizon, my vision is blurred and my orientation lost

it's one of them days when you just want to keep on going
to this unknown destination that we keep on pursuing
now, i think though once i do get there
will it fulfill my every dreams am i really prepared?

the horizon is bleak if i think of it too much
since i really have no control of the outcome
i just come for a ride on this little car of mine
as i sit in front of the wheel just taking my time

i'm hoping one day i'll get to my destination
not overshoot it or suddenly pull off the road
throwing in the towel and running out of gas
because i'd really want to see, where i'm heading for, at last!

i guess all i can do is sit and relax
keep on driving
crank up the tunes
and just enjoy the scenery
as i drive through the road towards my destiny