A Stick, A Carrot & String

Mewithoutyou's new album "It's all crazy! it's all false! it's all a dream! it's alright" has taken me quite a while to get used to, but it's finally growing on me. I still don't consider it their best music by any means, but there are a couple songs in which Aaron Weiss yet again blew me away by his incredible writing skills and ability to portray certain attributes of the character of God that I've always felt about Him, but have never been able to put into words. I've listened to the album multiple times through, but just noticed the lyrics to this song (below) today. The imagery in the lyrics themselves are beautiful, but when coupled with the diverse instruments and Aaron's timid singing voice, it produces something I just really love. Not to mention it beautifully illustrates how Christ did not display his might and greatness through anything people on Earth actually desire or consider worthy of praise. Christ confused the crap out of everyone by being the exact opposite of what everyone expected him to be. But he was what all of our hearts and minds know to be true.

anyway, please read.


A Stick, A Carrot & String

the horse's hay beneath his head
our Lord was born to a manger bed
that all whose wells run dry
could drink of his supply

to keep him warm, the sheep drew near
so grateful for His coming here
come with news of grace
come to take my place
the donkey whispered in his ear
"child, in 30-some-odd years
you'll ride someone who looks like me
untriumphantly"

the cardinals warbled a joyful song
he'll make right what man made wrong
bringing low the hills
that the valleys might be filled

then "child", asked the birds
"well, aren't they lovely words we sing?"
the tiny baby layed there
without saying anything

at a distance stood a mangy goat
with the crooked teeth and a matted coat
weary eyes and worn
chipped and twisted horns

thinking "maybe I'll make friends someday
with the cows and the hens in the rambouillet
but for now, I'll keep away
I've got nothing smart to say"

there's a sign on the barn
in the cabbage town
"when the rain picks up
and the sun goes down
sinners, come inside
with no money, come and buy

no clever talk, nor a gift to bring
requires our lowly, lovely King
come now empty handed, you don't need anything"

and the night was cool
and clear as glass
with the sneaking snake in the garden grass
Deep cried out to Deep
the disciples fast asleep

and the snake perked up
when he heard You ask
"if you're willing that
this cup might pass
we could find our way back home
maybe start a family all our own"

"but does not the Father guide the Son?
not my will, but yours be done.
what else here to do?
what else me, but You?"

and the snake who'd held the world
a stick, a carrot and a string
was crushed beneath the Foot
of your not wanting anything

Sage Advice

Think of God always.

A Good Lesson Learned

A wise man once said...

"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped in the heat of the summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord'--and you forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalm 32:1-5

Aaron Weiss once said, "Find a friend, stay close with a melting heart and tell them whatever you're most ashamed of."

I highly recommend confession. Not just to God, but to people. There is so much freedom in being able to stand before God and people with a clean heart, harboring no iniquity. I don't think people realize how much unconfessed sin or animosity towards another person really affects the heart and soul. Look at that verse--"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long". It's so true! Unconfessed issues are such heavy weights on the heart, and develop such deep roots in the soul. When your heart is clean and you have nothing to hide, you're able to receive and give love freely, without fear, because you are finally able to be who you really are, not someone you're pretending to be. Obviously this is something I just went through, so I'm recommending it to you and you and you. So, please, go find someone you can trust, and tell them the worst thing you've ever done. They'll understand and help you through it, as will God, and life will just be that much more beautiful.

In love and hope,
B