The Sanctuary

Archive for May, 2009

12-21-06

Hmmm…does the title of this entry have a double meaning?

Well, I hope that everyone has a wonderul and blessed Christmas. I can’t imagine what it will be like when He does return, but I am certainly glad that he was born to save me. It’s always a toss up for me at Christmas time. I will have an unusually depressing Christmas or an unusually joyful one. I’m happy to report that this year has been a great triumph. I’ve experienced a lot of growth and revival. I think it has a lot to do with knowing that I am getting closer to the person God wants me to be. That’s a praise.

So, you’ve waited 6 months for this CD to come out. I just got the last song tonight! Yea. That means it is definitely crunch time. I’ve got 8 days to place my order by the end of the year. The 29th is my deadline. 2007 is right around the corner. I know that we wanted to release by the end of 2006, but I know this is all part of God’s plan. Even the number 7 reminds me of God’s divinity and perfection. What a blessing.

Well, check out the website. I’ve added an online store for ordering CD’s. I’ve also added new music on the ‘music’ page. I think I changed the settings on this blog too -so that you can make comments and see them right away. I think that is what I did. The CD’s won’t be available until January, but you can order it in advance, if you would like, and I will ship them out as soon as I get them.

Thanks for reading, and have a Joyful Christmas and a Blessed New Year! With His Love, Mary

11-30-06

That’s a quote from Eowyn in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. She has just slayed the Nazgul and is confronting the wizard King that “no man can kill.” She proudly takes off her helmet, lets down her hair and cries, “I am no man!” as she thrusts her sword into her enemy.

Wow. I love that.

In the past few months, God has taught me many things. I really feel like he is showing me who I’ve been designed to be. He has shown me my strength as a woman, a warrior princess of God. That’s cool. He’s also shown me that vulnerability can be a strength in itself.

I’ve experienced many spiritual attacks lately, and spiritual warfare has certainly been more apparent in my everyday life since I’ve been pursuing this ministry. God has definitely prepared me for these attacks, and I am so thankful for that. I wonder how I would have made it through, if at all, if He hadn’t whispered truths to me before the battle began.

I remember the first time I saw Return of the King. I was so thrilled and inspired at Eowyn as she stood there with courage before her enemy and knew who she was. She was a woman, she was a warrior, she was beautiful. I pray that I will have as much courage to defeat the enemy when he attacks.

Okay, enough of my ramblings. About the CD. I don’t think it will be coming out before Christmas. I’m almost sure of it, actually. Remember those attacks I mentioned? Well, the producer’s computer system crashed, more than once, and he had to get it replaced. So, that put us behind about a week. Then, the duplication company takes about 10-12 business days to make the CD’s -not including all of the time it takes to make sure they’ve got all the right materials to get started (copyright stuff, music, artwork, money). I’ve got 6 of 11 songs. So, hopefully everything will be finished by the end of December or early January.

That is a HUGE prayer request, because, as you know, I have 2 shows at the end of January. I’d like to be able to promote the CD’s at the show. I know that God is going to work everything out. I also know that the enemy will do anything to try and stop God’s plans. But, “greater is He that is in [me] than he that is in the world.” Please continue to pray for the music, the musicians, and all the people God is going to speak to through all of this.

I thank God for you all. In love, Mary

11-16-06

Well, many things have been happening lately that are worth praising God for. So, here I go…

I went on a mountain retreat this past weekend, and I believe that God blessed me with a time of encouragement and freshness in preparation for the days to come (more on that later). I came home and was able to have some pretty good conversation with one of my family members. I am blessed in knowing that God is using me in such an awesome way. But I am also saddened by the fact that not only is Satan attacking me, he is attacking my family. So I ask for prayer in this area of my life.

I also recieved some of the songs from the album with background music. I am very pleased at what I’ve heard so far, and am excited and thankful to be working with such an amazing talent as my friend, Scott Dotta. It has been such an exciting time and such a blessing to hear this project come together as it has.

I also got good news from K-Love christian radio station (out of California). I was pleased to hear that they accept independent artists (which is not the case for most stations). I had almost written the whole radio thing off, when God worked that out! There is a process and criteria to meet, so I ask for prayer in this area, as well.

I sometimes doubt myself when it comes to my music and abilities, but God has really been showing me that He is going to use me in this way, and its exciting and scary. With the release so close, Satan has really been attacking me hard, in every area of my life: I received an email from Scott, and his computer crashed again. It crashed a while back and he got the hard drive replaced and now it has crashed again. I also got news that the company I had planned to do the CD duplication with has a 4-5 week turnaround time, because of the holidays. So, the CD will probably not be out in time for Christmas. Although I was disappointed, I believe God prepared me for that, and I am okay with it. God has really been teaching me a lot about His control, patience, and perseverance.

I’ve also experienced multiple attacks within my family. I won’t go into details, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that all of these “bad” things happening in my life, right now, are not a coincidence. It makes me even more confident in the fact that God is going to use this album, this music, and even me to do great things in people’s lives! I am so excited about that, and praise Him for his amazing love.

So, I’ve updated you on most of the great things and not-so-great things that have been going on. I’ve left out many of the good things, because there are too many to list. But in conclusion, I ask that anyone who reads this post to pray the following scripture for me…and not just for me; for everyone who will be ministered to by this music; for all the lives that will be touched by His voice. I thank God for you, my friends, my family. Be blessed.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:10-20)

10-27-06

Okay everyone…my website is complete with entry page, music you can hear, a testimony that doesn’t play in chipmunk, fully functional photo albums, and I’m even registered with MSN, Yahoo, and Google Search Engines. There are a few bugs I’m sure. Any comments would be helpful and appreciated.

The last thing on my list is setting the site up for online ordering through PayPal. Phew. That was quite a lot of work.

Oh, and pray about this: www.maryswanson.com is taken, but there is no site hosted there. I’ve requested permission to purchase the domain, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to until 2008.

Check out my site, and keep praying for me! Thanks! Love to all!

10-23-06

I’ve been listening to this song by Derek Webb that is pretty true and pretty convicting about the way we live as Christians. It’s sad that this is the attitude of many Christians, and we are all guilty of this. Read the lyrics and then go listen to this song. It’s on his Mokingbird CD. Then post your comments or how it spoke to your heart.

“A New Law” -Derek Webb

don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music

don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
i want a new law
i want a new law
just gimme that new law

don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies

don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

’cause what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep for one you can
that cannot get you anything?
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid…

10-5-06

Wow. Can I just praise the Lord for Tuesday night bible studies!? How cool is it that our bible study about the noise in our lives fits right in with what our pastor has been preaching on (hearing, listening, and obeying God’s voice)!? You KNOW that’s the work of the Holy Spirit!

Well, I think I had a “wow” moment tonight. Wow moment = time during the day/week that God just really wow-ed you (per Charleston Outreach 2001). Well, I was driving home from visiting my my parents and my dad’s parents -who are visiting for the week. Earlier that evening, someone hit a nerve, and I had one of those “emotional pop-up windows” -you know the ones -you can’t minimize or close out, you just have to deal with them. It came out of nowhere. Right when I got into my jeep, I started crying.

Anyway, as I began to drive, I realized that I was very angry and bitter over something that happened in my past. I’ve never dealt with it, and I’ve never given it to the Lord. I just tucked it away somewhere, and it rears its ugly head whenever it wants. I’ve never forgiven and I’ve never forgotten. As I thought about it, I became more and more angry and hurt from a wound that never really healed.

Then, I remembered that God wants to speak to me amidst the noise, through the noise of my life. He wants to speak to me in the silence. So, I cleared the “noise” in my head. I heard the Lord tell me to “count it all as joy.” He said that I should surrender it to him and he would give me the “peace that passes all understanding.” I said, “Lord, I’m hurt, and I want justice.” He said “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

So, I did. I counted it joy, and was given peace -almost immediately. If any of you know me, you know that once I start crying the waterworks don’t stop very easily (over-active tear ducts). Seriously though, it was surprising. After I stopped crying, I almost felt invigorated…almost like I’d just been in a battle. Of course! Spiritual warfare! Wow! In the 7 minutes it took me to get home, I had fought with rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12)! Praise the Lord! He is worthy!

So, that was my “wow moment” of the week. Then again, it’s not over yet. I have another battle to come, and I’m waiting on a word from the Lord. Pray for me to be a good listener, to recognize the voice of the Lord, and to obey Him when He speaks. Thanks for your prayers and support. In Him- Mary Swanson

10-3-06

Modest (adjective)
1. humble –not having or expressing a high opinion of your own achievements or abilities
2. shy –not assertive, and tending to be easily embarrassed in company
3. reasonable –not large, extreme, or excessive
4. simple –not showy, elaborate, or pretentious
5. not overtly sexual –not drawing attention to or discussing sexuality, and so unlikely to offend or arouse.

Appropriate (adjective)
Fitting –suitable for the occasion or circumstances

Propriety (noun)
1. socially correct or appropriate behavior –conformity to the standards of politeness, respect, decency, or morality conventionally accepted by a society
2. quality of being socially appropriate –quality displaying behaviors thought to be correct or appropriate.

I believe we must recognize the differences among these words in order to come to some sort of common ground. I am using the Christian worldview. With that in mind, we can agree that to be modest (using the previous definition) is something we are all called to be (1 Tim 2:9-10). Even though modesty does not stop at just clothing, I am going to focus on that.

Our AMERICAN culture as a whole has been ever-changing as far as propriety. A hundred years ago, it wouldn’t have been socially appropriate behavior to walk out of your house or even answer the door without covering most of the skin on your body. It wouldn’t have been appropriate to go to the beach without the proper attire. Nor would it have been appropriate to show up at church with something you would wear to the beach. Even in the few years that I’ve been on this planet, our culture has changed. I’m astounded at how short shorts and skirts are, and can’t believe that young ladies wear lingerie as casual tops. Some tops are open from neck to naval. Now, the question is, are we as Christians, being set apart from the culture, but in the culture, supposed to accept this “socially acceptable behavior” as a defendable action? I say, NO.

Although the culture has changed in the amount of skin it is able to show in the public, it doesn’t mean our God is any less holy than he was before creation, nor has he changed his standards. Just because MTV says it’s okay to dress this way, doesn’t mean that we as Christians should say okay. As Derek Webb sang, “the Truth is never sexy, and it’s not an easy sell.”

Every Christian should be careful with what they put on or in most cases –don’t put on. Even if I say that I am not wearing this for guys to look at me, I’m wearing this, because I like it, I am only saying that I am choosing vanity and selfishness over being a temptress. We can’t control whether or not a person lusts after us, but if we can change our hearts to be more like Christ’s, we would find that we can more easily discern what is appropriate or not (”And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”) (And of course the age-old saying comes to mind: “who wants to buy the cake when they can get the slices for free?” God tells us to honor our husbands. Even if we are not married, how are we honoring him by wearing the “eye-candy” that every guy is going to get a taste of?

We as Christians should stand out from the culture and dress in a way that will glorify God. Skin-tight clothing, low-cut with cleavage hanging out, short skirts that barely cover you up, even those cute little accents that draw your eyes’ attention to certain areas of the body should be considered…I don’t think that is what God had in mind when he told us to dress modestly. I think what he had in mind was a people that dressed in HIS BEAUTY. A people who recognized that they were made in the image of God, and that we are beautiful, only because it is Him in us! “She is clothed in strength and dignity;”

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

9-2-06

Rumor has it that there are a few insider copies of my upcoming album floating around the United States. Well folks…it’s true. Scott sent me copies of all the songs -just vocals and guitar. I made a copy for my parents, a copy for my grandparents, and a copy for my best friend Jacki. The rest of you will have to wait until the CD comes out or steal it from one of them. I would prefer that you wouldn’t steal, but if you must hear them, I will tell you that they are in Las Vegas, Charleston, and Texas.

August 2006

Hey everyone! I’ve got some exciting news…I recieved three songs today! Not complete, but they are still
A-Mazing! Scott…you are the man! I’ve sold like 10 magnets so far. Ninety to go. I need to start working on a CD case insert and all that jazz. I also need to start finding some places to play. I mean…that would be good, right?

August 2006

Another thing…I was listening to a radio program the other day…probably Focus on the Family. It was an interview with the author of Teaching True Love in a Sex-at-13 Generation. They were talking about purity and how the viewpoint of young people, even Christians, has been drastically distorted. It was not news, because I am not too old to remember middle school through college, but it was disturbing.

Purity has become nothing more than another way to push the envelope and see “how far is too far.” It is called “Christian Sex” in some communities, and has become the way Christians stay “pure.” Its everything and anything…with the exception of losing your virginity. “Purity.”

It goes to show that we, as a Christian community, need to step up and teach our young people what it means to be pure. We need to stop leaving it just to the church youth director or Christian School teacher. It is our responsibility to show them The Way they should go…so they will not depart from it. If we don’t, someone else will show them a way…and it won’t be easy coming back.

Anyway…read the book. And I wrote a song about it.