Katrina's Anniversary

shelter

I saw a handmade sign similar to that as I drove
from Houston to Dallas in Sept, 2005.
It's very telling, isn't it?

I can't believe it's been 3 yrs since Katrina hit the Gulf of Mexico.
In some ways, it seems like it was more recent.
But in other ways,
it was so long ago.
May we not forget the darkness of the heart of man,
and the need for the Light of the World!

As we pray for the safety of those of us in the Gulf,
let's remember to pray for their spiritual safety, too.

Psalm 91:1-2
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
He is my God, and I trust him

Back in 2005, the week of Katrina,
the Lord poured a song into my heart.
I was in the middle of studying Isaiah 60
in a Joy of Living class,
and Arise and Shine jumped off the page.
I was familiar with the passages,
and had the childhood song etched in my mind
(Rise, Shine, give God the glory, glory).

But this was a more somber look at the passages:

1 Arise, shine; For your light has come!
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
5 Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy
16 You shall know that I, the LORD,
am your Savior and your Redeemer

Darkness did cover New Orleans, with no electricity,
then deep darkness covered the people,
as rioting and looting broke out.
Yet the Lord did indeed arise over His people,
and His glory was seen,
as we served in the shelters in Houston and elsewhere.

Martin Luther King Jr. said
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that."

I pray you can meet with the Lord
as you listen to Arise and Shine.

And I pray you will find shelter in His shadow today!!!

Arise and Shine, at http://www.soundclick.com/evawilson

Congratulatons are in order!!!

Congratulations are also in order to my dear friend,

Andrea C Parker, for hitting #10 on IndieHeaven's FanFaves!!!

Thank you for voting! It will be on FanFaves until Sept 13 or 14. (So will Closer Than Your Heartbeat, at #14 today)

She posted December Rain in honor or the 7th anniversary of 9/11.

We will never forget the sacrifice given on 9/11/01. I will never be the same.

God bless America. And America, bless God.





Now, on a much lighter note:

The family survived 5 days of school!!! And I didn't have to rush to Wal-Mart for last minute supplies, until Thursday night, when we realized we were short by one binder!

Btw, I love the stock-up-and-save sales, but it's awkward when the cashier looks at me as if I'm hoarding. Sometimes I've explained my family size, but Ms. Cashier never believes me. (Don't worry, Lady, there's not a straightjacket on planet earth that could hold my sags and bags!)

But this year, I went through the self-check! Ha! So weird to feel like I'm inconveniencing someone by buying so much. That's a character quirk in my life: fear of inconveniencing someone.

Anybody else out there feel that way? It's not like I'm a doormat. Nothing like that.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I was never voted "most likely to succeed" or any of those notorious labels we hang on people. As a matter of fact, there was a new honor created the year I graduated. I think some of my teachers liked me, and wanted to do something to recognize me. lol.

Most courteous. Yup. That was me. Seriously.

Don't tell my kids, though. They think I'm rude. Always barking orders. Well, what do they expect from the Enforcer?

Anyway, congratulations are in order to all the principals, teachers, kids, safety patrol-ers! And how about all those home-room moms and those like me, that I call home-RUN moms:

Hurry, run home, mom, before they sign you up to do something ELSE!!!

How Would SHE know?

This IS the Day that the Lord has made

I WILL rejoice and be GLAD in it!!! 1st day of school!!!! Yippee!!!

Yes, I will miss my kids! But they thrive in routine (me, too!!!) and they are READY!!!

The kids are odd this year. 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc. Praying for all...especially my 2 college girls:) Praying HARD and LONG for all their teachers!!!! Big day for all!

Hey, we are back to our "original" household size as of today...those of you who know me know exactly what I mean. With a huge Grammy grin;)

Music Note: In only 10 days, December Rain has climbed to #37 and Closer Than Your Heartbeat #39 on http://www.indieheaven.com/fanfaves Thank you ALL for voting! You can vote once a day per computer. ***vote by clicking on star on far right, next to song title.*** An artist can only post one song at a time, but Andrea C Parker recorded December Rain, so it's legal:)

Several of my other co-writers have songs there, too...

Eddie & Laura Cavazos is #14 (Eddie is setting 3 of my lyrics to song!!!)
Tim Juliett #23 (we're just starting something)
Ken Lang #34 (we started a song a yr ago...does that count?)
Joey Nicholson $49 (we wrote Awesome One together)
Give them all a listen!

(and my close friend Cynthia Miller's song Falling Up is AWESOME...#16)

God BLESS you, and I MEAN that!!!

Closer than Your Heartbeat, the song, the story

In all humility and gratitude, I'd like to share this story:

Over 2 yrs ago, while I was in a Bible study class called MotherWise, something Denise Glenn had penned in the workbook jumped right off the page at me. Pierced my heart with truth. She said that Jesus is closer than our very heartbeat. I began writing notes in my margin, and after class, went straight home so I could sing back to the Lord. I never dreamed I would ever share it with anyone else, as it was so close to my heart.

But God had other plans. and I sent a little worktape to my then-new friend, Deborah Ivris, in Israel. Deborah had translated a few of my songs into Hebrew, and her voice is so clear and resounding, it blessed my socks off! I only sent Closer Than Your Heartbeat as an encouragement to her heart, but soon she sent me an a cappella version back to me, expressing her heart, how the Lord had ministered to her.

Well, for over a year, the file sat in my computer. I don't have the know-how (or talent) to build a songtrack. I hear it in my heart and head, but can't get it from point A to point B.

But while on a forum at http://www.christiansongwriters.org the Father crossed my path with Paul Sumares of CA. He is brilliant & talented, but most of all, desires to honor the Father. We agreed to work together on several songs.

To my surprise, Paul took Deborah's vocals and crafted the song!!! Even with my meager chord ideas and inability to keep time, Paul structured this beautiful arrangement!!!

Thank you, Jesus!!!! (and many thanks to you, Deborah and Paul, for letting hear with my ears what I'd wanted to hear in my heart!!!!)

Here's what Paul said, in response to my note of thanks to him:

I see an arrangement like this as analogous to taking one's already beautiful daughter and adorning her with fine robes, perfumes and jewels … presenting her as a bride for the Son of the King. The tune, lyrics and spirit of the song are the main value of the gift which is offered out of love to God (the daughter). But the arrangement is a pleasure we have to gather some of the more precious and pleasing elements we see around us (which God Himself placed there for us to find), and with those, dress up that gift to show that He is deserving of all the glory and beauty that exists in creation.

What a beautiful display of Kingdom work, as we seek to glory in Him. (and can we give the Lord praise, for allowing us all to use the internet for HIS purposes!!!)

Closer Than Your Heartbeat
(c)2006 Eva Wilson
vocals: Deborah Ivris
production: Paul Sumares

B2 F#/A#
Nothing can keep you from God's love
B2 F#/A#
Nothing in life, not even death
C#m/E F#
Jesus is closer than your heartbeat
C#m/E F#
Nearer than your very breath
B2 F#/A#
He's alive. (He's alive.)
B2 F#/A#
He is here. (He is here)
C#m/E F#
He’s all you need (He's all you need)
B
He's closer than your heartbeat

C#m/E
I am convinced
F#
Neither death nor life,
C#m/E
Neither angels nor demons,
F#
Neither the present nor the future,
E7
Nor any powers. Nothing.
C#m/E
Neither height nor depth,
F#
Nor anything else in all creation,
G#m F#
Can keep you from God's love
G#M F#
Nothing can keep you from God's love
B
In Christ.

B2 F#/A#
Nothing can keep you from God's love
B2 F#/A#
Nothing in life, not even death
C#m/E F#
Jesus is closer than your heartbeat
C#m/E F#
Nearer than your very breath
B2 F#/A#
He's alive. (He's alive.)
B2 F#/A#
He is here. (He is here)
C#m/E F#
He’s all you need (He's all you need)
B
He's closer than your heartbeat


Whehehehehehew!!! We love you, Jesus!!!

Oh, you can hear the Hebrew translations Deborah made at http://www.evawilsonmusic.com

(and for you songwriters, it may be a learning experience to hear my original worktape at http://www.soundclick.com/evawilson so you can hear how God can make something from "almost" nothing) ;)

this is NOT public knowledge!!!!

I kid you NOT!!! I read this on shoutlife today:

I am looking to relocate to the Nashville, TN possibly soon...and I am looking for a FULL TIME music minister/worship leader position. If you are in need or know of a church please contact me! Thanks!! I can submit a resume and of course you can hear my music on here!! LOL!

God bless!

then, this is added, as the author commented on his own blog:

this is NOT public knowledge...and it is still up in the air....I am looking for work outside of Evansville...cause nothing is happening here....DO NOT say ANYTHING to ANYBODY....it's only a thought we are having i am searching out leads in nashville only right now.

OK, am I missing something? Is the internet NOT open to the public?

(still laughing)

if the shoe fits, share it

no spellcheck allowed!!!

Our walls are breathing a sigh of relief!!! A little less stuff packed into the house, a little more wallspace! As we pulled Liz's couch out (for college), the heart of a little brother was revealed:

Hannah is a stupid head

Yes, it must have been a bad day in Stephen's kindergarten head. Was it that Hannah wouldn't play chess with him? Or maybe she hid the remote control!!! Who knows!!!

It will be painted over tonight...that's why I took the picture:) Just had to share!!!

What's in YOUR Wall?

A convo I recently had with my friend, Paul Sumares reminded me of my parents. Paul is a solid man, strong in his faith in Christ Jesus, and committed to family values. It has been a joy to work with him on some music this summer. What a blessing to have his special touch on songs God planted in my heart!

Well, something he said in a convo this week reminded me of my folks. The best I can remember, neither of my parents ever ran for any kind of office. Not even PTA. Not that PTA is a lowly office. You know what I mean. They never sought public attention. Unless writing letters to the editor counts...I guess I got the bold streak from my mother. Never at a loss for words.

In my mind's eye, Mom and Dad were not even considered pillars of the community. But they were definitely an important part. There was a steadfastness that reminds me of a wall. But not just any wall. This wall stood the test of time. The test of trials. All because of God's grace, and their willingness to receive it.

Now, I look at my own life. My marriage. My parenting. I don't think I can be a wall. I don't think I'm made of the same stuff my mom is made of. But I'd like to think of myself as a stud. A backbone, if you will. Almost useless if standing alone, but with others joining in the framework, we can serve as a support to those walls.

Do I have it in me to stand firm? Not to sway? Only by His mercy!

Some days I think my kids are the nails, holding me in place. Keeping me on my knees.

Some days I think my kids are the hammer, driving those very painful points right where they need to be.

Either way, I'm asking myself, "What's in YOUR wall, Eva?" I'm not pleased with my answer. I want the strength, the dignity, and respect that the generation before me had. But there's no shortcut from point A to point Z.

fell

I fell in love with Jesus. Again. Kathy Troccoli & Dee Brestin did an excellent job with the book. So creative, tying in song titles for their chapter themes. Hmmm. Wonder if they had copyright issues. Nah.

Vacation was a sweet time with family. Then we returned home for VBS. What an awesome week!!!

More later. Much later. Hard to blog these days. But I'm writing songs every day. Does that count?