over this come reveal

In a valley dark or a desert dry, when the Word comes forth and the Lord draws nigh. In a common place filled with common sounds, it is in his presence I find holy ground.

In the shade of a tree and the sound of birds, he recalls to my heart all his precious words. As he feeds 
creation so he strengthens me. He increases joy to my frailty.

 
As he holds me close with a warm embrace, with his presence near tears come to my face. And the shame I feel is replaced with AWE. What a comfort sweet, he's my all-in-all.

The ground breaks soon on the 540 lot. A new thing will begin next month. I sang love songs over property. His hand opening hearts, stirring tears afresh, new love. Come near. Spring up afresh. Maker breaker break me. Draw me. Pour out your magnificence on Jesus the Christ, your son, my king.
 
Infinite mercy
moves into my life, His awesome relationship and holy sacrifice. Ever the faithful One, you draw me close to Thee. You're God's greatest provision. Jesus, I receive.
Well you made this move towards me, before I came to be. Where I fall short day by day.You show me that you love me. Nothing I can do can lift me up to where you are. And yet you stand beside me. Jesus, I'm yours. In undeserved communion, Jesus, I'm yours.

Well the rock began to shout from every hill. The sky bowed down to listen and the wind was still. Sparrows from the roof they dropped to the ground. A crowd of villagers gathered around. 

A donkey and a man are what the people saw. Nature knew his presence and stood in awe. One by one the children called on his name. The wild ox and goats did the same. Baaaaaaaa! Ittizy, it is he. He's the master of redemption it is he. Ittizzy, it is he. He's the fire of fire, Spirit higher than me.


Greater than gold and sweeter than honey, your words are the source of the JOY that I know. I thank you my God, Creator, and Teacher for all of the goodness to me that you show.

   My eye stares down. down into the green among the blades. an eighth of an inch across, this blue blossom. and then another and two more the same size.

May you have the following you deserve, Jesus. We lift you up, your name as gold. Your words run fast, and you are ever bold. Jehovah, your Son, my King. Eternal life to me, your very life to me, is what he brings.
Jesus you know, Me through and through. No other is, as grand as you. Your Father sends his very best. Savior so fine, Jesus the Christ you give me rest.
The Spirit gave, and leads me still. To know you better, and to do your will. Jehovah dear, Spirit alive and true. The Son, my Lord. I love you more. Oh Jesus, you.

songs by karl marxhausen: All In All. Following. Infinite Mercy.Darling-Beloved.You Come. My Father. Ittizzy ( It Is He ). What He Brings. All rights reserved.

dirt turns over soon at 540 North Columbia. site Center for the Liturgical Arts. Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska.

who am i that god should care

  

Let every body stand up and shout, This is the One who helped me out.

It was something that God wanted to do
Something that God wanted to do
It was something that God wanted to do for me

Nothing I was worthy of
Yet He did it for me in His love
Something that I thank Him for
Something of His mercy
Something of His power
Something of His glory

Who am I that He should love me?
Who am I that God should care?
All my shame and guilt He carried
Such a love has no compare

It was nothing I was worthy of
Yet he did it for me in His love
Something that I thank Him for
Something of His mercy
Something of His power
Something of His glory















I'm a child of my Father
He loves me, I am His own
I'm His child for ever and ever
To my God do I belong

It was nothing I was worthy of
Yet he did it for me in His love
Something that I thank Him for
Something of His mercy
Something of His power
Something of His glory

Something
Something


Worship video. Seven minutes. 2015 guitar and voice.

Something that I thank Him for
Thank You, Jesus
Something that I thank Him for
Thank You, Jesus
Something that I thank Him for
Thank You, Jesus
Something that I thank Him for
Thank You, Jesus

Something of His mercy mercy
Something of His mercy mercy
I don't deserve it but You gave it
I don't deserve it but You gave it
I don't deserve it but You gave it
I don't deserve it but You gave it

 













Something of His power power
Something of His power power
You are mighty, You do declare it
You are mighty, You do declare it
You are mighty, You do declare it
You are mighty, You do declare it

Something of His glory glory
Something of His glory glory
Yes I know the Name
Yes I know the Name
Yes I know the Name
and You are good

Let them know the Name
Let them know the Name
Let them know the Name
for You are good

Let every body stand up and shout
This is the One who helped me out
Let every body stand up and shout
This is the One who helped me out
Let every body stand up and shout
This is the One who helped me out
Let every body stand up and shout
This is the One who helped me out

It was something that God wanted to do
Something that God wanted to do
It was something that God wanted to do
For me and you and you and me

It was something that God wanted to do
Something that God wanted to do
It was something that God wanted to do for me

Wanted (lyrics and guitar chords) by Karl Marxhausen, copyright 2015.

so much joy, so much pain

       In this part of the universe the growing relationship with friends Charlie and Jennie, the moving of the Holy Ghost, going out to paint for the first time in two years, burden bearing the cries of my friend over the telephone, the yin and yang tug and push of God in my life -- it's all happening at the impulse of His love.
    A combination of stress over my friends last Saturday night, and the attack of pain in my upper left arm, drove me to seek relief Sunday morning at the E.R.
   The doctor recommended blood tests for me and said I should stay at the hospital all day Sunday, and over night. I was released around 10:30 am Monday morning. A distinct pain in my upper left arm prevented me from sleep. None of the blood testing relieved THAT sensation. I left the hospital with the same annoying pain that came in with me.
    Friends and family rejoiced that all the blood tested came out NORMAL. The cardiologist on Wednesday affirmed I am in the clear. Thanks for the many prayers on my behalf.
    As soon as I was released, my wife drove us over to a chiropractic clinic in Carrollton-- and what was DONE TO ME, quieted that distinct pain in my arm. That night I slept without THAT nerve signal keeping me awake.    I was negotiating a host of other "new pains" though. The ice gel pack I bought helped.
    I am hanging on to my faith in the goodness of the One who loves and leads me thru these pains. When I go to the grocery store I cannot linger while I shop. My neck muscles and body reactions are telling me to get done with business and get OUT OF THERE. My emotions are calm inside, my body is going haywire.

    So, now it's last Tuesday morning--while I am waiting for my weekly wound clinic appointment--the Holy Ghost is downloading new verses to a song I penned back in 1990, twenty-five years ago!! New verses out of the pain and joy I am experiencing right now! The walk with a god that is interacting with me daily, friendships, crisis, art, being mindful of my limitations, stepping out to sing in Charlie's living room, Jennie and him chopping up tree debris in our side yard, such big giving hearts, and now being pumped full of joy out of this re-mixed re-honed melody and verse.
     My leg nurse regarded me busy with my papers and pen on the waiting table, where I usually relax before being attended to. When the vibe is right it all flows together, I told her. She said it sounded like a gift. I told her, when the vibe is not there I can't do anything, it just won't work!!
    After the treatment and my ankle getting dressed with wrapping gauze, I hobbled back to the lobby, and plopped in a seat--to resume the re-write. I told Nancy Lock who passed by: "there is so much joy and so much pain right now. And God is bringing forth a new song to sing at church." She replied, "Looks like God is giving you creativity!!"

    Five days later the chant is ready. I have two versions. One is slow and clear for learning the verses. The second runs through the chant at a regular pace, what I envision will be the congregations pace later. The chant is based on Philippians chapter 4 verses 4 and 6. I've never been able to put music to it and, in my opinion, it is not meant to be a performance-song. But rather, something to say, speak, and get into your spirit. For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Hearing it over and over builds a neural pathway and you remember the content, it becomes a part of who you are.

     All that You are has proven to be
     You act, You give, and You lift me
     You speak, You release,
     for this I give praise
     Sing it again !!
     Your name I raise.

I love these words. A declaration of where I am and who God is to me.

vast near

let me tell you something    

materials joined 
by nylon line



plastic molecules

 wire molecules

paint molecules

  burlap molecules

 

vibrating particles

are held
as 

plastic,
as 
wire,
as 
paint,

as 
burlap

by his voice

our class is handling lemteyoso. fingers stitching, 
both eyes focused, working towards, finding, 
and being found.

not to be taken lightly
      the making of worlds, 

 
for dancing particles are fed by
the power of his voice,
      he stopped all sin by himself,
      and got rid of death by himself
      he was executed for our need to be evil
      his heartbeat stopped 
      dead

he obeys his own rules
gravity, cell division, physics, mathematics

he turns my heart
he kisses my tears
he breathes his life into my nostrils
to be his

thank you JESUS   











 

lemteyoso
let me tell you something

poem by km

 

He caught it on film. 

The cycle 

in motion, 

from flower 

to fruit. 

Stand still 

and 

gaze at it. 

The Multiplier of cells 

brings this pregnancy 

to full term. 

Behold, His hand at work. 

This One, engaged. 

His system of circulation 

and 

respiration 

is regulated 

by what He has coded. 

The flower withers 

and soon, 

soon 

the flesh of an apricot 

will be ready 

to pluck 

and eat 

and savor. 

                                                              

The biologist 

knows more than I,  

what mechanics are in play 

for this stage to happen. 

This slide, 

this moment, this meditation, 

this exultation, 

this shout out to HIM, 

this hurrah, 

this trumpet blast, 

this pronouncement to this One, 

THIS one, HE, 

he makes, 

he makes a way forward 

in my day. 

His interest in me, 

his engagement 

with those I walk by,

 his conversation 

with his flock, 

his sheep know his voice, 

he calls them out by name, 

he names me, 

I am HIS, I belong to Lovely Majestic 

Gracious Transcendent 

Jesus 

Father 

Spirit 

Engineer and Manager.
        I place my song in YOUR hands, 

O King, O Friend, 

O Savior, 

O Lover, 

O Shepherd.

Thank you Marx for this ticket in, 

to your thoughts, 

your whispers of glory, 

your fascination, 

your worship, 

your call 

--

to stand still 

--

and 

remember.

present before you, come - part 2

"Be like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."           Matthew 13:52

music and voices, words to Him, being washed by this One, by this Jesus, surrounded by a people I have not met, who chant, who love, who gather, to praise this One, this Jesus, the one who makes me new, who lifts my burdens, who brings His embrace, who holds me right where I am.
i come to see the once tall mosaic presented sidewise on a church hallway. i come to see for myself, to touch the polished wood, and feel the cool glass with my fingertips, to video and record a work of my father and my brother. i read an history article from 2005 in the lincoln journal star newspaper. i read about the history of three altars.
when i stand and kneel and listen to the voices around me, there is joy, there is intent, and He comes, Spirit, Father, Son, His interface with my finite mind, tears whelming up, His gentle stirring, His intent, His joy, His being, His words spoken alive, His body presented as food, His mystery, this thinking entity, involved, near, within me, but not from me, His own personality, His own path, other than me, drawing my thoughts and hopes to Himself. more than wood and glass and fresh beginnings. more than words composed in a blog. you are. YOU  ARE. i am yours. you, Jesus, you.

'Renewed Beginning' to be celebrated at renovated church by Joel Gehringer (from the Lincoln Journal Star, July 30, 2005) double click on images to enlarge

     With the dedication and completion of their new church building in 1980, parishioners of the St John the Apostle Catholic Church celebrated a new beginning.

     On Sunday, members of the parish will celebrate a 'renewed beginning' as they open the recently renovated St John the Apostle Church, 7601 Vine St., for a public showing at 2 pm.

    Parishoners raised $650,000 in their "Renewed Beginning" campaign to redesign and replace the interior of their church. The campaign was a nod to their 1980 fundraiser "A New Beginning," which raised money for the construction of the building.

  "It was in need of some refurbishing," said Father Lyle Johnson. "It's been 25 years since anything has been done, and we did it as part of our 25th anniversary."

    Johnson said the project focused on dual goals of strengthening the interior's connection to St. John and improving the sacramental focus of the Mass.

    The building now features a new interior, complete with a redesigned entrance, a colorful sanctuary, fresh carpet, a tile center aisle and new pews.

  Where a wooden altar once stood sits a granite altar matching the marble steps, lectern and tabernacle.

    Three hand-carved Italian statues now surround the tabernacle---- a crucifix stands above, with Mary at the left and St. John the Apostle at the right.

     Along the sides of the interior, Stations of the Cross are found below scripture passages and quotations from St. John.

     "There's really no comparison (with the old design)," parishoner Bob Ruyle said. "It really made it warm, and it's a 'wow' to everyone as they walk in."

     The redesign improved more than aesthetics. Church members used the renovations as an opportunity to make the building more functional.

     Designers rearranged the layout to comply with new church regulations, and thin plaster was added to low wall areas, improving the acoustics of the sanctuary.

    "The sound has changed," Ruyle said. "It's more reverberant and easier for elderly people to hear."

    In renovating the church, parishoners also wanted to preserve the church's history.  That's why the designers kept the original stained glass windows in the back of the church. And a painting, which had hung behind the altar since the building's construction, has been moved into the hallway which connects the church to the parish school.

    "It gives people a look at the history of our parish," Ruyle said.

    Johnson said he enjoys the new look of his parish and thinks the objectives of the "Renewed Beginning" project were met.

    "It helpful for the worship of God at mass," he said. "I love it."

-----------

St. John Altars
Catholic churches have only one altar, symbolizing the one Eucharist (or) Mass offering us Jesus as the Bread of Life, the source and summit of saving grace.

Built for what is now called the old church in 1959, the original altar was steel-framed and wood-topped. It had the three steel crosses of Calvary across the front and a granite altar stone.

In 1980, built for what was called the new church, the second altar to be used as St John was made of oak and rebuilt around the original altar's steel frame ... with the three steel crosses still within it and used the same altar stone.

(See above, the wheat and grape mosaic on the front of the altar which related to the tabernacle mosaic which was done by Reinhold Marxhausen in 1980.)

In 2005, built for the renewed church, the third altar was made of granite and just below the top still contains the same altar stone of the original altar (from 1959) and three relics of saints, because the early Christians celebrated the Eucharist over the tombs at the grave sites of the martyrs.

-------------------

I remember some of the old 4th and Seward church I attended when I was a young child. I remember the long slow prayers that the minister led us all in near the end of the worship service. Our religious classes took place in the basement. There was talk of a new sanctuary being built at the north end of Columbia Avenue. In 1968 it was modern, spacious, and full of color. (below, photo)

Today when I worshiped here, the newness of this space in Lincoln, Nebraska; the music, the new pews, and the renovated interior reminded me of 919 North Columbia in Seward. That parish was a Lutheran fellowship, and it also bore the name of John, the follower and disciple of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

More on my old church HERE.
http://stjohnseward.org/old/church_history.pdf (accessed Nov 7, 2014)