The power of a song Faith to praise

~ carlyriordan ~ Leave a comment

Faith to praise, praise to faith

Common sense tells us that if Jesus could do only a few miracles in His hometown because of their lack of faith (Matt 13:58, Mark 6:5), then with an abundance of faith we position Him in His rightful place at the right hand of the Father with the ability to move, rule and reign. The heart of God is moved by our faith. This is where praise and the power of a song comes in.

In our humanity we don’t always feel like singing praise, we forget that God is able. But the power of declaring songs of truth can catapult us into His presence.

We have access to His presence by our praise.

I love how Eugene Peterson puts it: Continue reading →

On Earth as it is in Heaven.

A Pilgrimage to Worship
~ carlyriordan ~ Leave a comment

His Presence: the Summit

John 14:12-14 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

How would we respond in worship if knew Jesus was physically standing in our midst? What would we say to Him? How would we sing? Would we be easily distracted (me, if I’m honest pausing mid-song in the congregation to add green beans to my shopping list for that salad I want to make on Wednesday—no judgement here).

More importantly, what would Jesus be doing? How would he respond to our worship? Continue reading →

Open soul moments- should we cancel worship?

should we cancel worship
~ carlyriordan ~ Leave a comment

Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. 24 But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream. (Amos 5:23-24 NKJV)

There are moments in time — I call them open soul moments — where something so significant happens; it feels as though heaven itself is peering into your soul, depositing something of eternity. Time stands still as you absorb the backdrop of details surrounding the moment. These details are etched into the fabric of lives often to be retrieved by a single thread of memory at a later time: the recollection of a feeling, sighting an item of clothing worn on that day, seeing the same landmark or the familiar scent in the air. Even the change in season can bring back a rush of memories that draws you back to a specific moment in time.

One of these open soul moments happened for me in January 2008. Newly married, my husband and I ventured off to South Ballina on the East Coast of Australia to camp with some friends. Continue reading →

What is Art?

What is Art?
~ carlyriordan ~ Leave a comment

She looked up at the painting, brows furrowed with disbelief making it clear she didn’t agree with my admiration for the piece hanging on the wall.

“That’s not art!”

She was only five but already our world had begun to shape her perception of what was worthy to be deemed ‘art’ : an image that reflected perfection and accuracy.

This was the first time her perception had been challenged. Continue reading →

The school of creativity

Art
~ carlyriordan ~ Leave a comment

While there is a number of things that have been less than ideal as we’ve homeschooled one of the things I’m most grateful for is the time we’ve had for creative projects.

I’m the best version of myself as I become the facilitator of creativity. The frazzled mum fades as the house fills with pots of paint, drying racks, paintbrushes stacked in the kitchen sink and the addition of the accidental but inescapable splodge of paint on the furniture. Somehow those details seem unimportant, as does time, as we become engulfed in the wonder of creativity.

I’m a primary teacher, homeschooling my children should be easy… But I’m also their mother and many lines are blurred when it comes to living, working and schooling in a small two-bedroom apartment. Continue reading →

Embrace the season of unseen

Embrace the moments
~ carlyriordan ~ Leave a comment

The word ‘unseen’ was the one I chose to frame 2020. A year to write, to develop confidence in the shadows, a year to dig deeper into a life of faith.

In March, this word ‘unseen’ took on an entirely different meaning for us all. I’d never have guessed that this is what ‘unseen’ could look like. 

Despite feeling a little stuck in our unit at times, over the last weeks, I’ve done my best to continue to attune my eyes to the things that matter. As we switch off the external, highly visible things (eg social media, news) our attention is naturally drawn toward that which is hidden under the surface, more of the spiritual realm, the eternal.

Faith: the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.  

To the best of my ability, I am choosing to shape this time by a focus on intimacy, honesty and growth. Continue reading →

The difference between isolation and solitude

Palm Beach
~ carlyriordan ~ Leave a comment

There is a big difference between isolation and solitude.

Without the time to stop and doing a stocktake of our thoughts, sneaky lies have the habit of taking up residence in our thought lounge. These same lies dissipate when we come face to face with our Creator.

Time alone with Him will have you slowing down, being more aware of priorities, and instead of reaching for familiar and easy vices you’ll reach more for Him.

Deep down we crave the stillness. Continue reading →

Grief, International Pregnancy and Infant Loss: the Genesis Breath

Wave of Light
~ carlyriordan ~ Leave a comment

Over the last few years, I’ve been fortunate enough to live close to the water. We see it daily. The beach, my sacred place. To look out at the horizon, watch the setting and rising sun, see the waves as they roll in, it’s mesmerising.

When I was a little girl, my dad told me that waves always come in sets of seven. He said you could count them and after the first big wave crashed, six more would follow, each losing a little power until there was a pause, stillness… Continue reading →