<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231</id><updated>2012-02-16T11:53:36.997-08:00</updated><category term='story'/><category term='mirrors'/><category term='Psalm 46'/><category term='becoming'/><category term='healing'/><category term='striving'/><category term='testimony'/><category term='trust'/><category term='spiritual warfare'/><category term='Revelation'/><category term='bondage'/><category term='suppression'/><category term='Isaiah 61'/><category term='God'/><category term='demons'/><category term='transformation'/><category term='shepherd'/><category term='food for thought'/><category term='Gospel'/><category term='being'/><category term='Logos'/><category term='Psalm 23'/><category term='heart'/><category term='why i write'/><category term='expectations'/><category term='truth'/><category term='Mercy'/><category term='cease striving'/><category term='humility'/><category term='Joshua/Judges'/><category term='tears'/><category term='Bible'/><category term='pain'/><category term='tell'/><category term='Genesis'/><category term='brokeness'/><category term='eating disorders'/><category term='sheep'/><category term='Jesus'/><category term='writing'/><category term='cutting'/><category term='training'/><category term='masks'/><title type='text'>Burning Hearts and Fiery Musings</title><subtitle type='html'>The heart burns, the mind churns, but all for not without the working of the Spirit and the sacrifice of Jesus. Here's a bit of my passions, my drives, or maybe what's bringing me down as i fight this war and follow Him.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>27</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-1481253617908457325</id><published>2009-07-12T18:55:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-07-12T18:56:11.666-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Heartfelt</title><content type='html'>I could cry a tear&lt;br /&gt;for each picture i dont get to be in&lt;br /&gt;for every memory i dont get to share.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I could tell you that i'm sorry&lt;br /&gt;that we had to part our ways,&lt;br /&gt;that i couldnt always be there.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I could lament&lt;br /&gt;that you think that i've avoided you&lt;br /&gt;or that ive ceased to care&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I could mourn&lt;br /&gt;for the time when that was true,&lt;br /&gt;and the time i wasted there.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I could tell you&lt;br /&gt;about the tears i've cried&lt;br /&gt;day and night on your behalf&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I could tell you,&lt;br /&gt;but i doubt you'd believe.&lt;br /&gt;You'd probably sit and laugh.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I could say&lt;br /&gt;that i wish every day&lt;br /&gt;i could see your smiles again&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I could say&lt;br /&gt;i wanted to go back&lt;br /&gt;and let the devil win.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;But i can't,&lt;br /&gt;i musn't, i won't&lt;br /&gt;nothing is farther from me.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;My path is set,&lt;br /&gt;the road is long,&lt;br /&gt;charging off to face our enemy.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I wished&lt;br /&gt;that you would come along,&lt;br /&gt;to see what He has shown me&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;But you just smiled&lt;br /&gt;and turned away.&lt;br /&gt;the choice that grows 'tween you and me.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;So i shed&lt;br /&gt;my single tear.&lt;br /&gt;to tell you that i miss you&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;and keep pressing on&lt;br /&gt;through wind and rain&lt;br /&gt;standing on what is true.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I'm not coming back&lt;br /&gt;the way i came,&lt;br /&gt;i cant be what i was before&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I've changed, been freed&lt;br /&gt;grown up, matured&lt;br /&gt;my heart released to soar.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;But if you care to find me,&lt;br /&gt;look not to the western sky&lt;br /&gt;Look to the narrow gate and road,&lt;br /&gt;the road less traveled by.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;I wipe my eyes,&lt;br /&gt;i dry my tear&lt;br /&gt;and leave my fears behind me,&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;away from the old&lt;br /&gt;pressing on into Him.&lt;br /&gt;If you want to know how,&lt;br /&gt;you know where to find me.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-1481253617908457325?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/1481253617908457325/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=1481253617908457325' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1481253617908457325'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1481253617908457325'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2009/07/heartfelt.html' title='Heartfelt'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-1513607356148724551</id><published>2009-06-17T21:25:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-17T21:44:29.029-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Consecration</title><content type='html'>To stand firm where you've feared to tread,&lt;br /&gt;To walk straight through what you're running from,&lt;br /&gt;To take that step only to find yourself standing on the sea:&lt;br /&gt;Are you ready?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To close the doors and keep them sealed,&lt;br /&gt;To sever that which was always your pride and joy,&lt;br /&gt;To abandon what you've always wanted only&lt;br /&gt;to find what you never knew you needed:&lt;br /&gt;Are you willing?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To tune out the noise and finally hear truth&lt;br /&gt;in the silence,&lt;br /&gt;To block out the colors and see where&lt;br /&gt;light and darkness collide,&lt;br /&gt;To come to the end of yourself&lt;br /&gt;and find who you were crafted to be,&lt;br /&gt;To place all you think you are down,&lt;br /&gt;and receive what He gives you:&lt;br /&gt;Will you pay that cost?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To give your life&lt;br /&gt;to the sound of His voice,&lt;br /&gt;To live His Life&lt;br /&gt;at the base of the Cross,&lt;br /&gt;To walk through the tear in the veil,&lt;br /&gt;see the Face and Glory of the King,&lt;br /&gt;be touched with the coal and hear&lt;br /&gt;"Whom shall I send?"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Will you wait?&lt;br /&gt;Will you listen?&lt;br /&gt;Will you go?&lt;br /&gt;Will you lay it down,&lt;br /&gt;Give it up,&lt;br /&gt;Die&lt;br /&gt;and truly begin to live?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The answer is yours,&lt;br /&gt;but the question is now.&lt;br /&gt;What is your answer?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-1513607356148724551?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/1513607356148724551/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=1513607356148724551' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1513607356148724551'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1513607356148724551'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2009/06/consecration.html' title='Consecration'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-2921738371319016089</id><published>2009-06-03T19:54:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-03T20:22:22.207-07:00</updated><title type='text'>On VIsion and Passion</title><content type='html'>At our last training, God hit me with a startling question. "What is your Vision?" Something i never thought of before. I was always content to follow someone else's vision. So when hit with the idea that as a leader i needed something to call someone to. And up till now, i was content to leave ISaiah 61 and the GReat COmmission as my vision. But this ultimately left me stranded in vaguity and without direction. But one thing still seems to call to me from the corners. A vision. The thing that God has specifically made me to do. My mission and what that looks like. What I now see as one of the most intimate relations to God: to have something on His heart specifically branded onto yours. I have been seeking this for the past few days here, and God has given me a peace in the uncertainty of it all. What He has shown me in the definite however, is passion. That burning force that is at the base of all I do in ministry. the passions that shape all my values. I dont really know how to describe it, but this is all i can say, and i hope it makes sense. It all revolves around seeing the Bride walk in the holiness in which she was made to walk.&lt;br /&gt;1.) a desire to see truth claimed, proclaimed and lived by&lt;br /&gt;2.) A desire to walk the members of the body through pain&lt;br /&gt;3.) to carry the burdens of the weak and weary&lt;br /&gt;most of these passions only barely make sense in their wording, but i cant find the words to express what i feel so strongly. But then the question  still remains, what do i do with this? How does this all work together? Where will this take me? WHat does this all look like? and at the same time, a desire to just throw the questions into the dust and walk without knowing, just trusting as it comes. So now i find myself being torn between the questions and the actions. do i go forth or do i ask? when i word it like that, the prefereable choice is obivious, but i still find myself torn. questions that i want to answer, but that in truth is the chain that keeps me from walking, isnt it? That an unanswered question, not knowing who, what, when, where, why or which one for how long can hinder and bind, if not completely debilitate. So i stand here, having said, acknowledged, confessed and understood everything that i've just written, and find myself stuck, at "where do i go from here?" how to stop asking the question is really the only answer i want right now.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-2921738371319016089?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/2921738371319016089/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=2921738371319016089' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/2921738371319016089'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/2921738371319016089'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2009/06/on-vision-and-passion.html' title='On VIsion and Passion'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-6706977195715013761</id><published>2009-01-24T14:43:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-24T15:03:24.974-08:00</updated><title type='text'>actually answering a question</title><content type='html'>just realized that i never actually adressed the question from 2 posts ago.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Is imagination a quality of God that is given to His children, or a corruption of His quality of creativity?" or something like that.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;although now that i have set myself on answering this, i find that i dont think that creativity and imagination actually have anything to do with each other.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Creative rests upon the root word 'create', and usually has some connotation of originality.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Imagination is rooted in the word 'image', and usually denotes forming images or concepts in the mind.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now, these two work greatly together, the imagination creating concepts, ideas, and images, while creativity makes them concrete and tangible. but they dont necessarily need each other, nor are they in any way the exact same thing. Creativity has many expressions that dont require imagination (although they may benefit from it) , including problem solving and impromptu art forms, such as free writing or improve acting/singing. Imagination also has many expressions that require no creativity, such as memory recall, like when you mentally retrace your steps when your trying to remember where you put your car keys, doing math problems in your head, and often processing concepts. also, making any mental concept of a sensory experience that isnt actally present requires the imagination.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Just another thought&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-6706977195715013761?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/6706977195715013761/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=6706977195715013761' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/6706977195715013761'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/6706977195715013761'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2009/01/actually-answering-question.html' title='actually answering a question'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-8143974589651991620</id><published>2009-01-23T19:41:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-23T20:21:36.946-08:00</updated><title type='text'>More pondering on imagination</title><content type='html'>After my last post, I pretty much found expressions of creativity that were outside of imaginiation, as mentioned in my last post. I also found that, to an extent, imagining is unavoidable, being the process which, if not responsible for, is greatly connected to memory, desigining, or making any kind of plan. But the concept of imagination in fiction still poses a question, with the answers and lines wavering as to their placement. Using Bible gateway, i could only find a few definitions of the term imagine. this is primarily because Bible Gateway only has a concordance for NASB and KJV.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In KJV, the most common definitions revolve around making plans, or devising something. others include reckon, think, and a few specifically about plotting evil&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The NASB only has one use of the word, to used by Mordecai to warn Esther not to imagine (in this use, to think or make oneself out to be)  that she could escape the fate of her people.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The other versions, while not having a dictionary reference, have contexts which denote similar meaning. But how do these meanings and definitions line up with the definition of what i'm putting on trial here? Is writing fiction in truth devising something or making some plan? I can clearly see in some instances, many in my life, how in my imaginings i planned, devised and worked out evil will towards others. But is this inescapable? Many imaginings are truly and undeniably vile and opposed to God's will.  H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, Ann Rice, J.K Rowling, write stories that by their very nature deny His God-ness. But is this avoidable in fiction? or is writing anything other than history effectively an elaborate lie, inherently a sin?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My thought goes to the parable. What is it by its nature? a truth in a story that was revealed to some and not to others. Was Jesus talking about actual seeds that were actually eaten by actual birds? I don't know, He might have been, but i dont think so. (know that i'm discussing parables now because part of what im studying is whether or not allegorical fiction is truly justified by God.) Those stories were about people and things that, as far as we know, did not actually exist. He speaks of things symbolically, doesnt He? and by the nature of Symbolism, doesnt that make them fictional? not to say unreal, He was telling truth in symbols, but can fiction be true? or does that defeat the purpose of fiction? One of  the many definitions of fiction is a lie, which is contrary to everything that God is, but another is :an imaginary thing or event, postulated for the purposes of argument or explanation, and isnt that what is done in the parables? But i don't think i can stay on that part of the rant because it will most likely dissolve into a discussion of semantics, and those are NEVER productive.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;maybe simply asking the question would get to the point better. Can I write a fictional story about people who dont really exist, doing things that never really happened in a place that never really existed, and not lie? Before you answer, think about this. I dont just mean completely unreal, with no basis in reality. This includes ANYTHING short of historical documentaion and autobiography. a character who is simply BASED on me is not really me and therefore never existed. Would telling his story be a lie even though it is my story? Why not just tell the actual story? i guess thats the question i have to ask myself. But what if the story is so much bigger? more than say or hope to describe? I don't really know, and i hope that people actually comment on this because input would be appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So at this point, i find myself at a roadblock: Fiction by its very nature seems like a lie, but that cannot be true as Jesus uses fiction and He is incapable of lying. Of course, i could be GREATLY misunderstanding or overthinking some things as i am guilty of that often. but m mind is fried right now, and i need to sleep. till i post again&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-8143974589651991620?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/8143974589651991620/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=8143974589651991620' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/8143974589651991620'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/8143974589651991620'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-pondering-on-imagination.html' title='More pondering on imagination'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-2680277435092858416</id><published>2009-01-03T22:39:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-03T22:52:39.731-08:00</updated><title type='text'>A Question to Ponder</title><content type='html'>Recently a question has been assigned to me: a study of sorts.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Is the imagination something we are created with, or is it a corruption of God's creative quality, which He assigns to us?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This question when posed caused me a great deal of distress. For me, the two were almost indistinguishable. how can one be without the other? of course upon bringing that up, God immediately showed me a few things;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1.) Imagining takes us out of the real world. It does not engage with reality in any way, it is the product of our minds and our minds alone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2.) Other creative outlets for me include poetry, sketching, other forms of writing and singing. Aside from singing in the realm of theatre performance and certain prose writing, none of these activities take me out of reality. My attention is focused on the task at hand, but not to the complete exclusion of reality. In fact, my attention becomes rooted in reality, in the working of the medium with which i am expressing said creativity.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3.)Also, in specific events where the product of creativity was prompted by the Holy Spirit, the mind is barely engaged, or thinking at all, only reacting to the Spirit's voice, which focuses the attention on God.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, overall, before actually doing study in the Word, which is the next necessary step, it appears that imaginiation is actually quite different than creativity. Imagination is the mind working with and within itself, focused on its own creation. Creativity is a working of the mind with the world around it. and Spirit-prompted creativity focuses on nothing but the Lord, where i desire my focus to always be. So, in short, it seems that Imagination is not a basic part of creativity, but vice versa: Imagination requires creativity, but serves no purpose but to please itself.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Be posting again when i get more Scripture.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-2680277435092858416?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/2680277435092858416/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=2680277435092858416' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/2680277435092858416'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/2680277435092858416'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2009/01/question-to-ponder.html' title='A Question to Ponder'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-5724286512367776545</id><published>2008-12-13T11:16:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-19T10:17:29.639-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Battlefield</title><content type='html'>Spin, spin&lt;br /&gt;I see you spinning&lt;br /&gt;round and round about me&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Closer still,&lt;br /&gt;I can feel you pressing&lt;br /&gt;attempting to smother me&lt;br /&gt;with thoughts foreign yet familiar.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Screaming, shouting&lt;br /&gt;roars from every corner&lt;br /&gt;overwhelming the ears&lt;br /&gt;blocking me out:&lt;br /&gt;i can't hear through it all&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Silence falls;&lt;br /&gt;His name is spoken&lt;br /&gt;and my spirit bows&lt;br /&gt;to its One True King.&lt;br /&gt;His victory is won&lt;br /&gt;and you are powerless&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So scream and spin,&lt;br /&gt;shout and smother;&lt;br /&gt;He will still win.&lt;br /&gt;My heart may weep,&lt;br /&gt;my eyes be cast down,&lt;br /&gt;But I am still His&lt;br /&gt;and the fire is still yours.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-5724286512367776545?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/5724286512367776545/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=5724286512367776545' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/5724286512367776545'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/5724286512367776545'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/12/untitled-for-moment-but-i-needed-to.html' title='Battlefield'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-2328653604557650655</id><published>2008-10-17T09:36:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-31T12:25:22.735-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='testimony'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='why i write'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='story'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='writing'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tell'/><title type='text'>Preface</title><content type='html'>I do not write without a choice,&lt;br /&gt;or that i am compelled.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I do not right from man's desire;&lt;br /&gt;to make the ego swell.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I do not write for future fortune;&lt;br /&gt;for Mammon's twisted schemes.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I do not write to cling to comfort&lt;br /&gt;amidst the waking dreams.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I write for who I was last year;&lt;br /&gt;for who I am today.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I write for what the Lord has shown me,&lt;br /&gt;to in that vision stay.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And so, I write of past and present,&lt;br /&gt;of future still, and yet,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Today I write, for He's commanded&lt;br /&gt;that i must not forget.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-2328653604557650655?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/2328653604557650655/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=2328653604557650655' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/2328653604557650655'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/2328653604557650655'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/10/preface.html' title='Preface'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-4333467964220088778</id><published>2008-10-17T08:12:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-18T19:26:31.917-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cutting'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='suppression'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='demons'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='bondage'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='mirrors'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='expectations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='eating disorders'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='masks'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='pain'/><title type='text'>Harlequin (Bondage)</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="center"&gt;Smiling is easy&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Smiling takes very few muscles&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;So smile for them all&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;with every muscle in your face&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Smile so they won't think to look &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;for the scars on your wrists and legs,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the razor in your purse&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Smile so the won't bother to ask&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;when was the last time you ate&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the last time you threw up&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Smile so they won't know how much you hate the mirror&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and the girl it holds&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Dancing is simple, too&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Right foot, left hand&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;One-step, two-step&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Move the arms, move the legs&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;in rythm with the gossamer chains&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Dance around the subject&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Dance around the problem&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Motion is all they're looking for&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Dance for them to see&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;I will show you how.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Smile and dance&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;my little harlequin&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Let me help you play the game&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;I can tug the strings and i can pull the lines&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Force the smile, work the rythm&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;you know you should&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;it's what they're expecting of you&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Happiness, Contentment&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Perfection&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;You know you can't live up to that&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;my little pet&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;so let me help you fool them all&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Smile so they won't suspect&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Dance so they won't look&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;even if that's what you really want&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;Wear your porcelain grin&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;and dance your lonely waltz, my poppet&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;I will be here, whispering&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;always&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-4333467964220088778?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/4333467964220088778/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=4333467964220088778' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/4333467964220088778'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/4333467964220088778'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/10/harlequin-bondage.html' title='Harlequin (Bondage)'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-6447925989276067629</id><published>2008-10-17T08:07:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-17T08:11:58.872-07:00</updated><title type='text'>CONTINUE? BOOYA!! YES!!!</title><content type='html'>The potery continues!!!!! Yaaaayyy for God's gift of the written and spoken words!!! and the written and spoken Word too. in fact that one is better, but i still like the gift He gives me in poetry. I also love how He's given me a class (creative writing II) that gives me a grade for writing poetry for Him. I know its been a while since i posted poetry, but ive been writing all the same. and im on route now to publishing my poetry alongside short, memoirish excerpts of my testimony (if i can ever get that one finished). There are some poems coming about pain, some about bondage, and a whole lot about Jesus and His amaizing merciful powerful wonderful just beautiful awesomeness!!!! PRAISE JESUS FOR HE ALONE IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-6447925989276067629?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/6447925989276067629/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=6447925989276067629' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/6447925989276067629'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/6447925989276067629'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/10/continue-booya-yes.html' title='CONTINUE? BOOYA!! YES!!!'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-850999272232158312</id><published>2008-10-01T09:44:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-01T09:49:55.348-07:00</updated><title type='text'>To anyone who might actually be a fan of my poetry</title><content type='html'>it's editing time! im not sure if any of you know this, but the poems you see posted here are pure poetic vomit, with a few exceptions. there was little editing involved, just pure zach spilling onto a page. Now some things are going to change, some majorly, some minorly. and yes, i know that majorly and minorly are probably not words, but i dont care. im a poet and this is my blog, so im allowed to make up words! Although strangely enough, the ones im changing the most havent made it here, yet, so i guess im just writing this for the sake of writing something cause i do so enjoy writing. None of them will be re-posted, unless someone wants me to, to compare and contrast. i was simply planning on changing them, using this as the only warning any of you will ever get, but oh well, im babbling now. anyway, hello poetry! here comes the editing scalpel!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-850999272232158312?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/850999272232158312/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=850999272232158312' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/850999272232158312'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/850999272232158312'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/10/to-anyone-who-might-actually-be-fan-of.html' title='To anyone who might actually be a fan of my poetry'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-8704189715620725835</id><published>2008-09-13T13:49:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-11-29T13:31:39.253-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='demons'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='training'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='spiritual warfare'/><title type='text'>Demoniac (revised)</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="center"&gt;They speak with razors,&lt;br /&gt;aiming to &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;flense&lt;/span&gt;,&lt;br /&gt;hungrily seeking fresh meat.&lt;br /&gt;Their words fly into the evening,&lt;br /&gt;flying yet bound&lt;br /&gt;to that wooden porch&lt;br /&gt;of the Kansas camp,&lt;br /&gt;barred from escaping&lt;br /&gt;into the woods.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;They twist her voice,&lt;br /&gt;already brackish from&lt;br /&gt;the nicotine of decades,&lt;br /&gt;into a feral growl.&lt;br /&gt;A violent animal&lt;br /&gt;in a corner;&lt;br /&gt;an animal&lt;br /&gt;in a cage of Blood.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Calvary advances,&lt;br /&gt;warriors armed to the teeth,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;shields&lt;/span&gt; burning golden in the perverse darkness,&lt;br /&gt;rendering the creatures' blades useless;&lt;br /&gt;their breastplates shining as the dawn,&lt;br /&gt;breaking through the despairing cold;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;wielding&lt;/span&gt; swords to demolish fortresses.&lt;br /&gt;The army moves to war.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The watchmen utter; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt; the darkness convulses in the night.&lt;br /&gt;The warriors advance,&lt;br /&gt;the horn is sounded,&lt;br /&gt;and the battle begins,&lt;br /&gt;for the Bride has gone to war.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-8704189715620725835?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/8704189715620725835/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=8704189715620725835' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/8704189715620725835'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/8704189715620725835'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/09/demoniac.html' title='Demoniac (revised)'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-4866993926928845377</id><published>2008-09-13T13:25:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-22T08:44:20.778-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bible'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Logos'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Revelation'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Jesus'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Genesis'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='truth'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Gospel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Joshua/Judges'/><title type='text'>Logos(revised)</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;object:&lt;/u&gt;book&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;cover:&lt;/u&gt;hardback&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;page count:&lt;/u&gt; 2248 with appendices&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;page 3:&lt;/u&gt; Voice shatters silence,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;the formless congeals,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;hardens, transforms.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;light and dark&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;are oil and water in the sky,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;each to its place.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;The seas pulls away from land&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;as sheets pull from the bed.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;Life begins with a simple Word,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;and it is good.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;page 432:&lt;/u&gt; His enemies are trampled &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;underfoot.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;the belly of the earth is ripped asunder;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;He rends the fortresses&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;as tissue paper.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;the blood of thousands&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;waters the earth;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;poured out by a donkey's jawbone.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;page 1713:&lt;/u&gt; the Word was with Him before,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;the Word was with Him&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;and the Word became flesh.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;He mended the bleeding,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;opened up sight to those without,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;restored the withered limbs,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;was destroyed by man,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;so the Word could&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;destroy the grave,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;rebuild the Temple,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;undo His enemy.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;page 2059:&lt;/u&gt; the Word returns in power;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;the Sword of His Tongue&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;flensing&lt;/span&gt; and tearing&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;the dragon to nothingness.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;His robes made scarlet&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;by its blood &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;and all proclaim&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!"&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;object:&lt;/u&gt; Savior&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;u&gt;name:&lt;/u&gt;Logos, the Word made flesh.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-4866993926928845377?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/4866993926928845377/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=4866993926928845377' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/4866993926928845377'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/4866993926928845377'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/09/logos.html' title='Logos(revised)'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-6336569432464173811</id><published>2008-09-10T14:48:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-10T15:03:21.358-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Random Muse #2</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Waiting is not my favorite thing to do. most people who know me know this. But lately &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;im&lt;/span&gt; finding that &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;waiting&lt;/span&gt; is all that i can do. I mean, I know that i cannot function without the Spirit, and i try not to walk outside of His promptings, but He likes giving me things that i can't do ANYTHING with on my own. It's like, "Here &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;zach&lt;/span&gt;, feel this. I'm not going to tell you why right now, but there is a reason." and &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;i'm&lt;/span&gt; like "uh...okay" its not like i can truly say no. But what to do when &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"&gt;you're&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"&gt;discerning&lt;/span&gt; things for the first time; what to do when &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"&gt;you're&lt;/span&gt; feeling something with almost complete understanding of everything about it ASIDE from what to do with it? The only thing left to do is wait, and ask God what He's doing. I don't know why  found it &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"&gt;surprising&lt;/span&gt; that the main reason i had no idea what was going on was because i never asked Him. I feel like i relearn old lessons again, cause something small just slips out in the midst of the chaos and the Lord wants to remind me. Sometimes it feels like the only way &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"&gt;i'll&lt;/span&gt; get to understand these things is if i run and jump out there and make mistakes, which i would rather not have to make (once again, those of you who know me know this). but there's also a strange peace that comes with waiting on Him. a peace that's like "I know what You've shown me, and went where You sent me, and did what You told me to do. I got nothing else." It's liberating when the standard is lowered from being superman to being someone who simply does what is commanded of him. am i making sense here? i know &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"&gt;I'm&lt;/span&gt; kinda rambling, but this is a blog, so deal with it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-6336569432464173811?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/6336569432464173811/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=6336569432464173811' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/6336569432464173811'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/6336569432464173811'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/09/random-muse-2.html' title='Random Muse #2'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-3650184833137941301</id><published>2008-08-16T12:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-15T11:41:38.329-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Words from a Heart on the Battlefield</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="center"&gt;voices in the dark,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;calling, crying,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;condemning.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;"Why do you even try?" &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;"You know you &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;don't&lt;/span&gt; really want this."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;"If you did, things would be different."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;"You'd be doing something"&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;"&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;Wouldn't&lt;/span&gt; you?"&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;The enemy's barrage of barbed arrows&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;piercing&lt;/span&gt;, rending,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;aimed at the sorest of spots,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the ones that have bled &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;many times before.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;"He &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;doesn't&lt;/span&gt; even really care about you."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;"They &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"&gt;don't&lt;/span&gt; even know you, do they."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;"If they did, they would understand."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;"Things would be different."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Thousands of voices,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;screaming, taunting&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;echoing, mocking&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"&gt;piercing&lt;/span&gt; through my heart.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;but through them all&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;a Voice is heard&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;quiet, but steady&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;calm, but firm.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;"&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;you are My child,"&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"and I love you."&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"I made you"&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"with great thought and care"&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"you are mine" &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"and mine alone."&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"why would you want anything different?"&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Words of Love,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the Voice of Love,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;cleansing water over wounds,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;igniting fire in my heart.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the Face of Perfect Love,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;casting out all fear&lt;br /&gt;strengthening my hands to work,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;my feet to move.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;my eyes fixed upon&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;this Brilliant Love,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;all else fades before &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"&gt;brilliant&lt;/span&gt; glory.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;My mind and heart&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;now echoing&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;with a simple yet beautiful truth:&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;span &gt;I am His, and He is mine,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and I wouldn't ask for anything different.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-3650184833137941301?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/3650184833137941301/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=3650184833137941301' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/3650184833137941301'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/3650184833137941301'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/08/words-from-heart-on-battlefield.html' title='Words from a Heart on the Battlefield'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-8058546699406538289</id><published>2008-07-25T19:33:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-06T20:22:21.880-07:00</updated><title type='text'>ready (revised)</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="center"&gt;What is "ready"?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Is it having the materials together?&lt;br /&gt;Understanding how things work,&lt;br /&gt;or the internal depths of the soul?&lt;br /&gt;Is it knowing where you came from&lt;br /&gt;or where youre going?&lt;br /&gt;Is it having a plan,&lt;br /&gt;Or a roadmap to the end?&lt;br /&gt;When are we ready?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Are we ready now?&lt;br /&gt;The call has been sounded, &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;a call to arms.&lt;br /&gt;Our eyes have been opened,&lt;br /&gt;our spirits revived. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Our lives redeemed,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;citizenship trasnferred.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;We are at war,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;whether we like it or not.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;whether we acknowledge it or not.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;When are we ready &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;To fight&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and reclaim?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Perhaps when we stop asking that stupid question,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;take what He's given us,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;take His weapons&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and take the field,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and let ourselves be ready.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-8058546699406538289?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/8058546699406538289/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=8058546699406538289' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/8058546699406538289'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/8058546699406538289'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/07/ready.html' title='ready (revised)'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-1168671990202417392</id><published>2008-07-17T20:08:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-17T20:21:26.614-07:00</updated><title type='text'>I don't know what to call this so I'm just gonna run with it.</title><content type='html'>In our society, we as people tend to fight tooth and nail every day for our share. to make sure that we don't get lost in obscurity and that we receive all that we deserve/want/need/whatever else floats your boat here. We do this by making ourselves the center of attention,  at any time by any means. whether its by being hosptiable, being smart, being caring, or being the best at something (all examples from my life) we never cease striving to make sure that others see we are there and that we are good enough, that we deserve something: love, affection, time, money, blessings, etc... So there is a whole generation out there, having been taught to grab the bull by the horns, to take the pearl at any cost, even if its from somone else's oyster, and to make sure that THEY are happy, who are desparately trying to make themselves known. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But the opposite is the only thing that works. When I finally fell down, realized that I had nothing, was nothing without Christ, i finally was able to see and recieve what He had been storing up for me. Working at His pace, not mine. saying "what am i ready for You to show me" instead of "Show me everything You've got". Realizing that I can't accomplish anything by my hands, so trying to get something done is entirely fruitless. Realizing that knowledge without revelation of the Spirit is empty words, and passion without the Spirit's wisdom is recklessness. That i dont need to accomplish something the Lord has already done for me. i must simply obey Him and be there when He calls. That is pretty much all I am responsible for. Suddenly my job is less complicated, and i can finally rest. I like resting.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-1168671990202417392?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/1168671990202417392/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=1168671990202417392' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1168671990202417392'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1168671990202417392'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-dont-know-what-to-call-this-so-im.html' title='I don&apos;t know what to call this so I&apos;m just gonna run with it.'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-6698246460606034714</id><published>2008-07-15T20:58:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-15T21:04:40.894-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='trust'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Psalm 46'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cease striving'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='humility'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='brokeness'/><title type='text'>Nothing</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is what i know. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is what i can do. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is all that i have. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is all that i can bring to You. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is all that i am without You. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is what You want to hide from me. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is the ill-will You hold for me. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is the harm You will allow to befall me. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is what i should worry about. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is what i should fear. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is what i have to sweat for. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;So why do i try in myself at all, &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;when Nothing &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;is where i'll get without You?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-6698246460606034714?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/6698246460606034714/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=6698246460606034714' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/6698246460606034714'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/6698246460606034714'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/07/nothing.html' title='Nothing'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-1739707549281312946</id><published>2008-07-14T08:19:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-14T08:27:22.476-07:00</updated><title type='text'>New Eyes, New Ears</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="center"&gt;New eyes, new ears&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;new perceptions to perceive&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;new thoughts&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;new feelings&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;new desire, new passion&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;new thirst for the Lord,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the Ancient of Days,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;seen with new eyes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Old fears, old doubts&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;old attacks on new life.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;old tactics turned on a new warrior.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;old contempt for the enemy&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;flames to new life&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;new perceptions attacked by old fears&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;new passions &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;plagued&lt;/span&gt; by old doubts&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;but new truth shines through,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and a new day dawns.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-1739707549281312946?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/1739707549281312946/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=1739707549281312946' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1739707549281312946'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1739707549281312946'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/07/new-eyes-new-ears.html' title='New Eyes, New Ears'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-1678220104581376439</id><published>2008-07-04T09:58:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-04T11:45:35.414-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='striving'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='becoming'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='food for thought'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='being'/><title type='text'>Just a thought</title><content type='html'>What would it be like if the body of Christ stopped&lt;em&gt; trying &lt;/em&gt;to be godly people and just let themselves be what God made them? I mean, I understand that we all have bondage that prevents that and we fight the battle for our minds daily to pick up our cross, say no to sin and yes to Christ, but still. i wasted so much time trying to be compassionate, trying to be pastoral, trying to find something to teach. the moment i stopped trying to be who God made me and &lt;strong&gt;just let myself be&lt;/strong&gt; His creation, His sheep, His beloved child, my heart began to swell and weep for the world, i began to understand what it truly means to shepherd a flock, and i finally had a lesson. i didnt just have one, i couldnt keep myself from bringing it to the table. I was finally able to write again and the words just poured out of me. I cant really begin to describe it. but it only happened once i stopped trying to be &lt;strong&gt;what I already was&lt;/strong&gt;. What would happen if the whole body, the church, the bride of Christ, decided to stop acting like the things they're not, ceased striving to become what they already are, and let God be who He is and reflect Himslef through them in the way they were made to?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-1678220104581376439?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/1678220104581376439/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=1678220104581376439' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1678220104581376439'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1678220104581376439'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/07/just-thought.html' title='Just a thought'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-1515984824554794108</id><published>2008-07-03T08:20:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-03T08:21:36.748-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Just for the record</title><content type='html'>Jesus is awesome. That's all. i just needed to say it. There you go.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-1515984824554794108?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/1515984824554794108/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=1515984824554794108' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1515984824554794108'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1515984824554794108'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/07/just-for-record.html' title='Just for the record'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-7822963089719215384</id><published>2008-07-02T12:50:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-20T12:19:12.870-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='trust'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='shepherd'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Jesus'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sheep'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Psalm 23'/><title type='text'>Confessions of a Sheep (revised)</title><content type='html'>&lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Confessions of a Sheep&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I crawl through the valley.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;The shadows dance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;about me like rats.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;The thunder sounds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;the lightning crashes,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;freeing fanged faces into light.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;A storm is coming&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="Ih2E3d"&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I've had enough.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I want to go back.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;My old field wasn't that bad.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="Ih2E3d"&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Its grass was poor,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;its shade was scarce,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;and its waters were brackish,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;but at least it wasn't this:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;cold shadows, hungry snickers,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;furious &lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;flashes against&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;the callous crevice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;The pasture on the other side&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="Ih2E3d"&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;can't be worth all of this.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Can it?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;I turn to run,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;and see Him there,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;my Shepherd.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;A soft rebuke&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;from mahogany eyes,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;reminds me that&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;He is there.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;"No." His whisper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;silences the chaos.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;"We're not going back".&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;He faces the skies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;with confident gaze.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;He knows this place;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;that the darkness is&lt;span&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;brief&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;the storm is passing,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;and the hungry grins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;cannot touch me&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;while He is here.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="Ih2E3d"&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;He wouldn't have brought me otherwise,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;or my brother, and sister, before me,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;if where we're going wasn't worth it;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;if we weren't going to make it&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;to the green, lush pastures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Beside the quiet, pure waters.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;the shade beneath&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;the mighty oaks and graceful willows,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;before the majestic mountains.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;He knows the way,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="Ih2E3d"&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;and He knows I'm afraid.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;and now I remember:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;that He won't let me fall,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;that when I can't go on any longer,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;He will carry me Himself,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;With strong arms and stout legs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span id="q_11cd7c1b6c9b8524_13" class="WQ9l9c"&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="Ih2E3d"&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;He has done it before.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;How could I have forgotten?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;That I am safe with Him?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;That His staff is my comfort,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;and His rod my joy?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;That He is my Shepherd,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;and I am in want for nothing?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-7822963089719215384?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/7822963089719215384/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=7822963089719215384' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/7822963089719215384'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/7822963089719215384'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/07/confessions-of-sheep.html' title='Confessions of a Sheep (revised)'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-1703937018089938966</id><published>2008-07-02T08:40:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-02T13:44:22.416-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='heart'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='healing'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Isaiah 61'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tears'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mercy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='God'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='transformation'/><title type='text'>Lacrimo Mundus</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="center"&gt;one day&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;God said to me,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;"Come and see&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;what I have to show you.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Come and see&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;your heart."&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;He showed me a place&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;a vast expanse&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;jagged and cold&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the ground with open chasms,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;gaping wounds in the earth.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;as i bit back tears,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;He said, "Come and see."&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;He brought me to a river&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;clean and pure,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;its waters refreshing and cool,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;pouring forth from beyond&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;cleasnsing the ground,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the land becoming lush,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the chasms now&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;lakes and streams&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;of the healing water.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;then He said&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;"Come and see&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;what I have to show you.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Come and see &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the world around you."&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and He showed me.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;children afraid to go to school,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;afraid to go home,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;whose fathers remind them&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;of bruises and booze,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;whose mothers are cold and distant.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;where husband and wife despise one another&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and destroy the child in their spite&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;i saw the tenderhearted spurned&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;for their kindness&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the leaders chastised&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;for their strength&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the creative cursed&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;for their art&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and the practical burned&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;for their efficiency.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;as bitter tears rent&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;my heart,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;He said to me,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;"Now, come and see&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;what I truly want to show you.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;Come and see&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the whole world."&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the hearts of few&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;became many to my eyes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;hundereds&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;to thousands&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;to billions&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;sons and daughters&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;raped and beaten&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;brothers and sisters&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;neglected and starved&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;fathers and mothers&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;dying&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;their hearts becoming stone&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;before having a chance to beat.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;A whole world&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;afraid, crying, wounded&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;drowing in their sea&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;of tears and blood&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;crying out&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;to be delivered&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;my Lord is silent&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;as His tears fall,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;each one tearing at His face&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;each one filled with pain and sorrow.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;A deluge of greif.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;He looks at me&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;with His tear stained eyes,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;glorious and majestic in their suffering&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and says "Go&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;spread the news to the affilcted&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;bind up the broken hearts&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;set the captives free&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;release the prisoners&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;greive for those who mourn&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;proclaim the year of My favor&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;and the day of My vengence."&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;so i gather&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;my sword and sheild.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;i don my armor and&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;take to the field&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;where the battle rages below.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;i was afraid to fight before,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;but for the tears of my Father,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the tears of the hurting&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;the tears of the world&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;i will &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-1703937018089938966?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/1703937018089938966/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=1703937018089938966' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1703937018089938966'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/1703937018089938966'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/07/lacrimo-mundus.html' title='Lacrimo Mundus'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-6829728415597979975</id><published>2008-07-01T09:14:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-01T09:19:23.300-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Wow....</title><content type='html'>My first day back online and... wow, what a realization. There are areas of my life, old messages from old freinds and as i read their messages, God like... He doesnt shout it at me, but its a voice, not still or small, but quiet and firm, Like He's going to say it once and he's not going to raise His voice... saying cleary "that part of your life is no over." Which is funny cause i just got done writing to a friend who didnt know that i was fasting from the internet, saying how God brings seasons of our lives to an ende and brings us into new seasons. i told her not to mourn but rejoice, but at this time i couldnt help crying. Must be that mercy thing. But now more than ever i am aware of how God has been moving me and i think im getting glimpses of where i might be going, but thats not for me to say, or even to completely know... yet.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-6829728415597979975?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/6829728415597979975/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=6829728415597979975' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/6829728415597979975'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/6829728415597979975'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/07/wow.html' title='Wow....'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-3215199838352208207</id><published>2008-07-01T07:44:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-01T07:47:59.637-07:00</updated><title type='text'>I'm Back!</title><content type='html'>Hey everybody!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My fast is now broken, and it has been an eye opener! Just to see just how often both television and the internet can be used by the devil and how much my life revovled around them. Praise Jesus for revelation and transformation!!!!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;so anyway, for anyone just starting to read this, as most of you probably are, here i am going to publish some of my thoughts, ideas, opinions, questions and poetry. it wouldnty be me if i left that last one out. so  enjoy and God bless!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-3215199838352208207?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/3215199838352208207/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=3215199838352208207' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/3215199838352208207'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/3215199838352208207'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/07/im-back.html' title='I&apos;m Back!'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-3761263860196666764</id><published>2008-05-25T18:23:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-05-25T18:25:06.164-07:00</updated><title type='text'>NOTICE</title><content type='html'>I will be abstaining from the Internet for the entire month of June, so you wont hear from me till then. of course, if i dont figure out how to get y'all to subscribe by then, none of you will know, will you?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-3761263860196666764?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/3761263860196666764/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=3761263860196666764' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/3761263860196666764'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/3761263860196666764'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/05/notice.html' title='NOTICE'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408858481729120231.post-5967715322882052994</id><published>2008-05-21T09:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-05-21T10:00:22.620-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Random musing #1? or is this truly random? idk :)</title><content type='html'>i have no idea what this means to anyone reading this, but it is floating around the front of my head, so here goes. is anyone else grateful that the rabbit hole goes on longer than the deer path? it sounds strange but it lightens my heart to know that i will never acheive a point where i know EVERYTHING about God. He's always revealing Himself to me in ways that i never thought He could before. not only in His word, but also through my iniquities. that brings me to the deer path. He never lets me run too far in my own direction, or maybe thats just me being exhausted from running, but still i am grateful that the depths of His nature, His love and His...self stretches out infintely past my own. and that is a comforting thought. im not really sure why.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4408858481729120231-5967715322882052994?l=burningmuse.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/feeds/5967715322882052994/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4408858481729120231&amp;postID=5967715322882052994' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/5967715322882052994'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4408858481729120231/posts/default/5967715322882052994'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://burningmuse.blogspot.com/2008/05/random-musing-1-or-is-this-truly-random.html' title='Random musing #1? or is this truly random? idk :)'/><author><name>Zach</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='21' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAVJ_X4f53c/SKefR0VslgI/AAAAAAAAAAM/84kC199_Zwg/s1600-R/funnypicturesmadedmeacookie.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
