Artsy Summer: Secret Sisters & Levitt Pavillion

What makes summer time great is the abundance of outdoor activities: farmers markets, concerts, movie nights, etc.  And though I like the idea of outdoor summer concerts, blankets, grassy knolls, picnic foods, etc., I usually end up too lazy to go. I am, however, prone to respond to an invitation than initiate the event, so when I got an email a few weeks ago about hearing the Secret Sisters at Levitt Pavillion, I happily responded in the affirmative.

They are a cute duo (actual sisters) who play the guitar and harmonize well. A good twang always gets me.

Sadly, it was one of the last of the evening concerts this summer. It's already starting to get darker sooner. Summer nights, must you end so soon?

Sifting for truth

You know what happens over meals.  And, from all of my recent goings out with different friends, you can deduce that a lot of it's been happening.  I'm talking about conversation.  Talking.  Catching up.  Sharing.  Dreaming.  Worrying.  Giving and receiving advice.  Joking.  Complaining.  Praying.  And, listening. 

I'm the type of person who needs to talk things out.  With friends or with myself or with God.  And then I journal about them.  And then I read books about them.  So there are a lot of voices swimming inside my head.  Some my own, some not.  Some positive, some not.  I find myself continually sifting, sifting, sifting through all of these voices with the sieve of Truth.  And questioning: what is Truth, exactly?  How do I know it when I see or hear it?   How do I actively pursue it?     

For me, Truth is the Word of God.  And lately, a song -- an old favorite -- has popped into my mind that reminds me to listen for a still, small voice that often gets lost in the noise of my everyday day-to-day, yet -- if I allow it -- has the power to transform my sometimes stormy sea of thoughts into sweet, still waters.

Voice of Truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me time and time again,
"Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me time and time again,
"Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

 

Who or What is your Voice of Truth?

Summer nights start!

June gloom continues, yet the light gray of mornings burns off into a sheer loveliness that sings me outdoors for lunch.  Light stretches into the late evening and I adore the mildness of it all.  It's been a busy couple of weeks, lots on my mind and a hefty to-do list.  Still, I made some time to meet a dear, dear friend for an evening coffee.

As we were leaving we noticed this little alleyway right next to the coffee shop, from whence music had been wafting.  It was a cozy niche streamed with papel picado and lights.  Friends, lovers, and family sat at picnic tables, enjoying their company, the music, and the atmosphere.  My friend and I even ran into another mutual friend.  I love local.

[Zona Rosa Caffe, Thursday night]

I'd been to the Caffe a couple of times before but didn't know about their summer music program, which, I discovered from the website, has been going on for thirteen years.  They have live music in the summer, every Thursday, "until it gets cold."  Which is longer than usual if one has a cuppa brew in hand.

This bodes well for the rest of summer.  Let's outdoors!