living

Dolly, There IS Jesus, This Clear Blue Morning

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It was the ripple shockwave you would expect, we heard that Dolly Parton passed away yesterday 8/25 and we were the ones telling others too. I heard the shocking news from a friend, then I mentioned it to three others, one of whom avowed she would fight anyone who would say anything bad about Dolly, that she was amazing… and we agreed that she was with the angels in a better place. 

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Acts 2:28 NIV

Dolly wrote about a Clear Blue Morning, taking a LONGVIEW. (Lyrics and link below). I have written many times on bible teachings to take a LONGVIEW of life – don’t get clogged by day to day craze, but take a longer wider gaze…

In “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young she writes that “there are times you will have to look THROUGH your circumstances” – essentially ‘[to see God’s glorious radiant presence – imagine looking at a beautiful garden through dirty glass and only seeing the dirt on the glass and not taking that LONGVIEW out to the garden beyond. This is us not looking at our forever home and secured sanctification and salvation but instead being too clogged in view by our current circumstances.]”

We must have faith that gets us through. 

Dolly Parton carried and shared strong faith that was open. The recent song sung with Zach Williams “There was Jesus” runs through my head, it’s a favorite and I appreciate Dolly being the support she steps out of the mainlight to fill in beautifully. Dolly adds such truth in her voice, vowing THERE WAS JESUS in presence and forgiveness and direction… In one music video version she lifts her hands up in praise… Now surely she rests in praise and in the comfort of the carrying arms of Jesus, what He has done for us before we were born. “I couldn’t see it then but I can see it now – There was Jesus.”

The video by Dolly’s family stated humorously she asked to be buried in cotton, she could be rid of the heavy rhinestones – being honest of the glitz and glamor was also hard work… She loved people and also loved her privacy… Surely all is good now, resting IN Jesus, clear blue morning beautiful beyond belief, and no need to look back or forward, for there IS Jesus holding you, Dolly, as He holds us…

God bless you for your faith and strengthing ours…

There IS Jesus.

Amen 

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Lyrics and link for There Was Jesus with Zach Williams 

Also https://youtu.be/37wV6D49iEY?is=OatMBaU6s0AW1wXg

Every time I tried to make it on my own

Every time I tried to stand and start to fall

And all those lonely roads that I have travelled on

There was Jesus

When the life I built came crashing to the ground

When the friends I had were nowhere to be found

I couldn’t see it then but I can see it now

There was Jesus

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing and the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute, every moment

Where I’ve been and where I’m going

Even when I didn’t know it or couldn’t see it

There was Jesus

For this man who needs amazing kind of grace (mm)

For forgiveness at a price I couldn’t pay (mm)

I’m not perfect so I thank God every day

There was Jesus (there was Jesus)

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing and the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute, every moment

Where I’ve been and where I’m going

Even when I didn’t know it or couldn’t see it

There was Jesus

On the mountain, in the valleys (there was Jesus)

In the shadows of the alleys (there was Jesus)

In the fire, in the flood (there was Jesus)

Always is and always was

No, I never walk alone (never walk alone)

You are always there

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing and the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute (Every minute), every moment (every moment)

Where I’ve been and where I’m going

Even when I didn’t know it or couldn’t see it

There was Jesus

There was Jesus

There was Jesus

There was Jesus

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Her song, Clear Blue Morning, from 1977 (lyrics and link below to a remake she released with others) state the truth of the HOPE we hold in Jesus “‘Cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning, I can see the light of a brand new day… Oh, and everything’s gonna be all right, It’s gonna be okay…”

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Dolly Parton 

Light of a Clear Blue Morning

Featuring Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah & Reba

 YouTube

Dolly Parton, 1977

It’s been a long dark night

And I’ve been a waitin’ for the morning

It’s been a long hard fight

But I see a brand new day a dawning

I’ve been looking for the sunshine

You know I ain’t seen it in so long

But everything’s gonna work out just fine

And everything’s gonna be all right

That’s been all wrong

‘Cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning

I can see the light of a brand new day

I can see the light of a clear blue morning

Oh, and everything’s gonna be all right

It’s gonna be okay

It’s been a long long time

Since I’ve known the taste of freedom

And those clinging vines

That had me bound, well I don’t need ’em

Oh, I’ve been like a captured eagle, you know an eagle’s born to fly

Now that I have won my freedom, like an eagle I am eager for the sky

And I can see the light of a clear blue morning

I can see the light of brand new day

I can see the light of a clear blue morning

Oh, and everything’s gonna be all right

It’s gonna be okay

I can see the light of a clear blue morning

I can see the light of brand new day

I can see the light of a clear blue morning

Ooh, everything’s gonna be all right

Everything’s gonna be all right

Everything’s gonna be all right

It’s gonna be okay

And I can see the light of a clear blue morning

I can see the light of a brand new day

I can see the light of a clear blue morning

Ooh and everything’s gonna be all right

Everything’s gonna be all right

Everything’s gonna be all right

It’s gonna be okay

I can see the light of a clear blue morning

I can see the light of brand new day

I can see the light of a clear blue morning

Everything’s gonna be all right

Everything’s gonna be all right

Everything’s gonna be all right

It’s gonna be okay

You are My Sunshine

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“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You’ll never know dear how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”

Love hearing my mom’s voice singing this song when I was a child… I had a great childhood in hindsight, but it’s always us remembering an awkward time with icky teenage stuff, perceived mental rough, life hassle enough, and sometimes age old bluff. I’m SO glad to have it past me. I’m SO glad to be a grown up, but wish for those summers off, the sunshine, the hope of fun.It got summer real fast here in the northeast. I’m not complaining but WOW took me by surprise and my strawberries are done, peonies spent. Spring sprung then skedaddled. Wow. My garden peas planted in hope were a critter crunch for their comfort, I got none, except one, an accidental pea in the flower pot. It grew and developed and I was surprised as it gifted 2 pods full. Yum. 2 more await. Next year I will try to remember to plant this way. I never learn to adapt, but maybe next year.

It’s the sunshine which makes us warm in spring, hot in summer, or hopeful all winter long. We long for sunshine, then we jump inside air-conditioned houses. Hmmm… Whatever happened to shade? Shade in summer is the opportunity to enjoy both. We need to remember to adapt and explore the sunshine but be protected too. What burns us also welcomes us, grows fruitfulness, and lights our way. It’s great except when it’s not. 

Can we brace ourselves against the bad attack of sun? Plants do. I guess that’s like life. We need to embrace and brace. We need to adult and child. We need to live and live. Oh, not live and hide but live and live.

Live and Live.

There’s living in all aspects of life. 

I complained about hectic life this past week, but I saw a strange sight Friday night, a bus at the train station, with transit authorities, people including kids standing to the side. I thought, I don’t think this is vacation, I really think this is an immigration caravan into targeted cities, maybe not. Or if it’s a search, thats sad. If it’s a broken down bus, that doesn’t usually happen at the train station. I guess I really don’t know, will never know, but I thought of their embrace of a hopeful life even on the move. Then I thought of how blessed I was, how routine life really is, how I do have stuff, a ride, and options. I have a next spring, summer, sun and shade possibilities, I have a lots with many less unknowns than these people. I can see my sunshine and I can step into the shade too. I will always be OK. I’ll know that life lives on…

I can live life in a full capacity – and yet rest to recharge my battery.

God knows, God will lead, God will protect and help us embrace the grace as well as the race. We must keep going and keep knowing.  

Life is for living. We should live it. Remember to step into the shade, the intimate God coverage of life. Live, and live it up. Try to even enjoy in the moment. Sunshine today, God always. 

New lyrics:

Lord, You are my Life-shine, my only Life-Line. You make me happy when lives are in array. You really know Lord, how much I love you. Please embrace me and lead me today. 

Amen

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Psalm 25 – New King James Version – A Psalm of David.

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, I trust in You;

Let me not be ashamed;

Let not my enemies triumph over me.

Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;

Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Show me Your ways, O Lord;

Teach me Your paths.

Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation;

On You I wait all the day.

Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses! Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins. Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You.

Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all their troubles!