Come talk to me

"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak." - William Congreve

("breast" is often misquoted as "beast", but I think both would apply)

I have probably been to over 100 concerts. I have always loved music. There is not a specific genre that prefer, although most country music does not cut the mustard for me. Which is ironic because I most definitely have a voice that is well suited for country western songs. My criteria for a song is this: Does it move me? Does it reach into my soul and find a place to rest? If you are a lover of music, I suspect that, like me, there are certain songs and/or artists that help define points in your life. I was reminded earlier this week the CD "Jagged Little Pill" by Alanis Morrissette and "Nick of Time" by Bonnie Raitte were my anthems for several months after a particularly nasty break up. And then there's Peter Gabriel. The lyrics to some of his songs and the way in which he sings them denotes a level of pain and longing that is almost palatable. I also believe that they expose what many refer to as "the God-shaped hole in his heart". One of my favorites is "Come Talk to Me", because while I am rarely at a loss for words, there are some feelings and memories that I hold on to for fear that speaking them out loud would leave me emotionally ravaged and unable to recover. God knows the depths to which I have been, and I have no secrets from my husband. Still, there are some places I have not gone. Is there something that you need to share with a loved one or trusted friend? With God?

Come Talk to Me

The wretched desert takes its form, the jackal proud and tight
In search of you, I feel my way, though the slowest heaving night
Whatever fear invents, I swear it make no sense
I reach through the border fence
Come down, come talk to me

In the swirling, curling storm of desire unuttered words hold fast
With reptile tongue, the lightning lashes towers built to last
Darkness creeps in like a thief and offers no relief
Why are you shaking like a leaf
Come on, come talk to me

Ah please talk to me
Won't you please talk to me
We can unlock this misery
Come on, come talk to me

I did not come to steal
This all is so unreal
Can't you show me how you feel now
Come on, come talk to me
Come talk to me

The earthly power sucks shadowed milk from sleepy tears undone
From nippled skin as smooth as silk the bugles blown as one
You lie there with your eyes half closed like there's no-one there at all
There's a tension pulling on your face
Come on, come talk to me

Won't you please talk to me
If you'd just talk to me
Unblock this misery
If you'd only talk to me

Don't you ever change your mind
Now your future's so defined
And you act so deaf and blind
[And you act so deaf so blind]
Come on, come talk to me
Come talk to me

I can imagine the moment
Breaking out through the silence
All the things that we both might say
And the heart it will not be denied
'Til we're both on the same damn side
All the barriers blown away

I said please talk to me
Won't you please come talk to me
Just like it used to be
Come on, come talk to me
I did not come to steal
This all is so unreal
Can you show me how you feel now
Come on, come talk to me
Come talk to me

I said please talk to me
If you'd just talk to me
Unblock this misery
If you'd only talk to me

As I stated at the beginning of this post, I have been to a lot of concerts. I have described the performance of this song to friends, and I was pleased to have found it on YouTube, because my description of it was woefully inadequate. It was so powerful to see it performed live. It may do nothing for you. That's cool, music is such a personal thing. But I wanted to share it, regardless.




P. S. - How AWESOME is that bass player?

Henri the Cat

God's timing is pretty amazing. I was feeling a wee bit self-righteous yesterday. Then I got this link via an email from my friend Helen. Yes. I was convicted by a cat video. I'm grateful that I have friends and family that love me enough to tell me when I'm being a jerk, and a God who knows what a jerk I am but still loves me enough to sacrifice His Son so that I might live. So this is for them. And a very big thanks to Helen, who is awesome.



Incidentally, there is a disturbingly high number of cat videos on youtube...

Overwhelmed

5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7)

So, I've been feeling anxious lately. Perhaps a better term would be overwhelmed. There is much to do. Time and time again, I find myself searching out this particular passage, but just as often, I ignore God's words. Perhaps my biggest struggle is time management. It would be romantic to say that I like to live in the moment. Reality reveals a less flattering picture. Here's my confession: I am incredibly undisciplined. When I want to do something, I do it very well. When my heart is in it, I know that the end product will most likely be very good. I love "special projects". Things that take me away from the daily grind; and I've had many such projects lately. The problem is, everything that encompasses my daily grind world tends to suffer. This includes my husband, my kids, my home, and most importantly, my time with God.

Do you struggle with this? I don't have any great revelation or suggestions on how to overcome this particular flaw in my character. I only know that, as I've said before, it boils down to dying to ourselves and our selfish desires, taking up our crosses on a DAILY basis, and truly following him. May you be blessed to feel His presence in your life today.