Funny Fishing.....

An Innocent Man ...

For my 34th birthday, my lovely hubby bought us Billy Joel tickets. He knows how much I love his music and admire his musical gifts. The concert was AMAZING ... 2 full hours, non-stop -and 3 encores (with standing ovations that seemed never ending ... )

I wanted to share one of my favourite songs with you (and I have MANY favourites :0)

This song touches my heart because it speaks of someone who is UNAFRAID. It tells the story of someone who has gained some wisdom through experience and learned to accept and appreciate their loved ones, right where they're at. Because of their OWN "survival" story, they have the ability to offer patience, unconditional love and fearless HOPE to others - walking WITH them through times of trials ...

The one who I recognize as fearlessly loving me FIRST, is Jesus. The image of Jesus dying on the cross is central to my faith that I am saved by His spilled blood ... and that, because of His resurrection, I TOO am 'resurrected' into a new life, through Him. After receiving this gift of life, through faith, however, there is another image that is pivotal to my faith ... it is Jesus, BEFORE His crucifixion ... in the Garden of Gethsemene. It was there that He wept and prayed; where He agonized and suffered over the events to come. It was there that Jesus "fell, with His face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. YET NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS YOU WILL.' Matthew 26:39"

A phrase occurred to me the other evening ... "Beautiful Brokenness" ... that's how I see the Lord in the Garden - beautifully broken for us - before He even got to the cross. It was this 'brokenness of spirit' (Psalm 51:17) that enabled Him to receive the strength to carry the cross and fulfill what was purposed for Him, before time began.

It is this very place that I want to stay, as a Christian, in order to receive the wisdom, strength and courage I need to pick up my own 'cross' everyday and follow my Lord. It is this 'brokenness' that will allow me to willingly and fearlessly, reach out to the hurting and wounded around me - offering encouragement, love and God's promises and healing.

Who'd have thought that I could get all THAT out of a Billy Joel song ? LOL! I guess it's where you're coming from in the first place :0) My heart belongs to the Lord - I see Him everywhere as He is WITH me everywhere ... and I am thankful ...

An Innocent Man

- Billy Joel

Released: 1983

Some people stay far away from the door

If there's a chance of it opening up

They hear a voice in the hall outside

And hope that it just passes by

Some people live with the fear of a touch

And the anger of having been a fool

They will not listen to anyone

So nobody tells them a lie

I know you're only protecting yourself

I know you're thinking of somebody else

Someone who hurt you

But I'm not above

Making up for the love

You've been denying you could ever feel

I'm not above doing anything

To restore your faith if I can

Some people see through the eyes of the old

Before they ever get look at the young

I'm only willing to hear you cry

Because I am an innocent man

Oh yes I am

Some people say they will never believe

Another promise they hear in the dark

Because they only remember too well

They heard somebody tell them before

Some people sleep all alone every night

Instead of taking a lover to bed

Some people find that's it's easier to hate

Than to wait anymore

I know you don't want to hear what I say

I know you're gonna keep turning away

But I've been there and if I can survive

I can keep you alive

I'm not above going through it again

I'm not above being cool for a while

If you're cruel to me I'll understand

Some people run from a possible fight

Some people figure they can never win

And although this is a fight I can lose

The accused is an innocent man

Oh yes I am

An innocent man

You know you only hurt yourself out of spite

I guess you'd rather be a martyr tonight

That's your decision

But I'm not below

Anybody I know

If there's a chance of resurrecting a love

I'm not above going back to the start

To find out where the heartache began

Some people hope for a miracle cure

Some people just accept the world as it is

But I'm not willing to lay down and die

Because I am an innocent man

I am an innocent man

Oh yes I amAn innocent man