His Eye is on the Sparrow

I am quite attached to this first passage. It never fails to stir some kind of emotion in me...and not always a positive one. Sometimes I get irritated because I've heard it so many times (I regularly think of it as I'm getting ready to head out), and sometimes it strikes that certain chord that sends chills or guilt or some other powerful feeling running through me. No matter how many times I've heard it or roll my eyes at God ("Yeah, yeah, don't worry, blah blah blah...what about me?"), it is always a good reminder and so very true.

On a light note, although I long ago got over my Jason Perry obsession (promise!), I always think of the version he sang of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" (lyrics located below)...it was a great version (as well as the one from Sister Act II)...I think the song fits well with the Matthew 6 passage. A quote and the Scriptural source of that song (according to Wikipedia) are also located below.

God bless you, and I hope you never forget how important you are, how important God things you are. I love you all.

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Why should I feel discouraged / Why should the shadows come / Why should my heart feel lonely / And long for heaven and home / When Jesus is my portion / A constant friend is He / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches over me / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me /
I sing because I'm happy / I sing because I'm free / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me (He watches me) / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches / I know He watches / I know He watches me

Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience.
-- Civilla Martin

Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV)
29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

(The Bible passages were taken from biblegateway.com, and the lyrics and quote were taken from wikipedia.com.)

Storms

When I was driving to work this morning, with my iPod on shuffle (while plugged into the car, of course), the song "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns began playing. This song almost always gets me thinking, and this morning it got me thinking about rainstorms (because I like them, despite how I react sometimes), then emotional storms, then other natural disasters; and then it started making me think about what Dave Jenkins preached about yesterday morning.

(This seemed a whole lot more together at 7:30ish this morning, but I of course waited until now to write this, losing some of it's energy in the process, so I apologize for this not being too terribly fleshed out.)

There are all kinds of storms out there. There are natural storms and storms that occur within us. There are storms that dissipate within a few minutes, and there are storms that take hours to fade. Some major storms can occur quickly but also be life-altering, and some seemingly simple storm can last for days. Some storms are sent to cleanse the world of dirt and all manner of things (also, when your eyes are dry, it can sometimes cause blurred vision, so some type of liquid, possibly tears, are needed to wash your eyes); some storms cause destruction (sometimes seemingly irreparable) in a place (but possibly igniting in some a desire to help); some storms are there to simply help things grow or to refresh the earth.

So, to steal a phrase from Dave Jenkins (and almost connect it to his sermon), we have to prepare for whatever type of rain is headed our way, whether it be a cleansing one, a damaging one, a simple refreshing shower, or one that sends us so much hope and good things that we don't know what to do with it. I think all are meant for growth and/or healing, whether our own or someone (or something) else's.

(I love how the writer of this song is clearly going through anger and sadness, yet...I don't know. I feel like this could be a psalm, in my personal opinion; I feel that like this could fit very well alongside David and the others, even without Psalm 121 at the end of the song.)

I was sure by now, God, you would have reached down

And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say amen

And it's still raining

But as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands

For You are who You are no matter where I am

And every tear I've cried You hold in your hand

You never left my side and though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to You and raised me up again

My strength is almost gone how can I carry on

If I can't find You

And as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes onto the hills. Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

I lift my eyes onto the hills. Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

(image found on images.yahoo.com)

Dear Alex

Dear Alex,

Hi, it's your friend. I know we talk occasionally, but here's a few things I think I should let you know:

If you live farther away from work than you used to live, you have to leave earlier than you used to leave. I know it's hard, but it's something you have to do. This also means you should probably go to bed at a decent hour, for the most part.

If you insist on wearing wind shorts and/or no socks to bed in the middle of winter, you will probably be cold and uncomfortable.

If you don't practice, you won't get better.

You should probably exercise regularly. If it's cold/windy/any other not-so-fun weather, figure out a different way to get in shape, even if it means using the slightly ghetto fitness center in your apartment complex. Good job on getting started, though.

You cannot continue buying things you don't need as long as you're getting paid what you are. That means that pair of TOMS you've been looking at and that book you've been waiting for are not necessary. That being said, if you can hang out with friends (if you're not strapping for finances), do so; just budget yourself. Splurging is allowed occasionally (OCCASIONALLY).

God and I are good buddies, and we usually get along. However, if it comes between him and me, I would go with him.

Wearing open-toed shoes in the winter is not your brightest idea. Also, wearing uncomfortable shoes when you know they will cause you some physical discomfort isn't good, even if they do make you 5'5" or 5'6".

Getting your hopes up feels great but is very dangerous territory (especially concerning the opposite sex).

If you know drinking that much diet soda is not good for you, then FIND A GOOD SUBSTITUTE.

Eating healthy can be costly sometimes, but it can taste good, if you'll just give it more chances (I know you don't really like vegetables, but I know you could probably like more if you just tried...remember those spinach leaves on your sandwich?).

If you're going to continue to wear your Little Miss Sunshine shoes, you can't complain when people mistake you for a student.

Don't worry so much (God and I agree on that one).

I know you'll have a hard time listening to me on some of these, but just know I'm looking out for your best interests.

Hope to see you soon,
Common Sense