Heart to Heart He Speaks – Janis Van Keuren

    I’ve heard His voice while pouring out my pleas, the desires pounding deep within my heart, the prayers crying out for the one who has walked away. He has whispered to my spirit while I’ve knelt before the altar. His voice has been heard through friends’ wise counsel.
     It’s time to turn my heart toward Him. To forsake all others who have been the center of my attention, the desire of my mother-heart.
     I have said, “yes,” yet my will has railed against the change in my focus. I’ve thrown temper tantrums, demanding the desires of my heart. I’ve wept from rejection, the insecurity of not knowing, the lies that have choked me with insidious accusations. They’ve invaded my mind declaring that I don’t believe or I would trust God and let go.

Yet, God has faithfully rescued this limp child of His and placed my feet back on His path. I have not arrived dear sisters in Christ, but God is leading me. He’s calling me to: “Come Back to Him with all of my heart.” Words taken from the song called “Hosea” by the Weston Priory Monks. It was one of those first songs I heard when the Lord came into my heart so many years ago. We heard it last Sunday in church.

(To enjoy the music of the Weston Priory Monks, please turn off my playlist at the bottom right of the blog by clicking on the speaker symbol to mute it.)

Video by Hubby, Photos mostly by me

HOSEA(c)
by Gregory Norbet
Weston Priory Monks

Come back to me with all your heart
Don’t let fear keep us apart
Trees do bend, though straight and tall
So must we to others’ call

Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new life

The wilderness will lead you
To your heart where I will speak
Integrity and justice
With tenderness
You shall know

Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new life

You shall sleep secure with peace
Faithfulness will be your joy

Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new life(c)

“One thing god has spoken, two things have I heard: that You, O God, are strong, and that You, O Lord, are loving.” Psalm 62:11&12 NIV

From My Heart to Yours,

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Comments

Heart to Heart He Speaks — 20 Comments

S. Etole on March 5, 2012 at 4:03 am said:

This song ministered to me in a powerful way many years ago when I was going through a very difficult stretch of time. What a blessing to come here and hear it again.

Blessings to you as you walk through difficult days.
- Janis@Open My Ears Lord on March 5, 2012 at 4:41 pm said:
  
  It is such an encouragement to me to hear that the Lord used this same song to minister to you when you were going through a difficult time.
  
  Thank you for blessing me.
  
  From My Heart to Yours,
  Janis
NITA on March 5, 2012 at 5:14 am said:

Janis, You remain in my thoughts and prayers. I am walking a rather difficult path too, but rejoicing in the fact that as the song says “the weak say I am strong” “the poor, say I am rich” because of what the Lord has done.

God be with you, in the valleys between the mountain tops. – Nita
- Janis@Open My Ears Lord on March 5, 2012 at 4:43 pm said:
  
  Nita, sorry to hear that you are on a difficult path as well. However, it is encouraging to hear that you are rejoicing during it.
  
  Looking forward to the next mountain top or the time of family restoration.
  
  From My Heart to Yours,
  Janis
Debbie on March 5, 2012 at 5:42 am said:

What a beautiful video! The words to that song are so good. I never heard it before. I recognized a few places in AZ from your photos.

Isn’t our God amazing? He waits for us. He never leaves us and is so patient with us. I am praying for you Janis.

Blessings and love,
Debbie
- Janis@Open My Ears Lord on March 5, 2012 at 4:37 pm said:
  
  Thank you for stopping by, Debbie. Yes, some of those photos were from right here in Arizona.
  
  I am grateful the Lord continues to call to us but also woos us~especially praying this for our youngest.
  
  From My Heart to Yours,
  Janis
Pam on March 5, 2012 at 4:03 am said:

So glad the Light is reaching you, Janis, and drawing you close. God is faithful.
- Janis@Open My Ears Lord on March 5, 2012 at 4:44 pm said:
  
  Hi Pam,
  Some days are just so hard to see that light. Thank you for the reminder of His faithfulness. Clinging to Him.
  
  From My Heart to Yours,
  Janis
Annesta on March 5, 2012 at 2:05 pm said:

Janis,
Your faithfulness amidst the struggle and pain is a blessing and an encouragement to me. I continue to pray for you and to believe God’s best for you. I prayed Psalm 121 for you right now. May God have mercy on you and those youblove and hold dear.
Blessings
~a
- Janis@Open My Ears Lord on March 5, 2012 at 4:39 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Annesta, for your prayers for my family and me. They hold me up through the struggle. I’m ashamed to admit that I’m not always that faithful in the midst of this struggle. As I mentioned in my post, I sometimes fight God’s ways and just want my own way. But I’m learning.
  
  From My Heart to Yours,
  Janis
Ruth on March 5, 2012 at 5:16 pm said:

How deep those mother heart desires and how deep the pain of rejection! One of my greatest struggles is to give unfulfilled desires concerning my relationship with my kids to the Father and trust him completely to take care of us and to give us a relationship that is life-giving to both of us, even if it looks different than what I wanted. It’s encouraging to hear what you are learning and to know that God is being faithful in the midst of this time. Keep drawing from his grace and basking in his deep, unconditional, I-chose-you-for-myself kind of Love.
It was good to be here today.
Blessings.
- Janis@Open My Ears Lord on March 11, 2012 at 6:38 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Ruth for your encouragement. It is a struggle to trust Him completely but He is so faithful. I like your choice of thoughts–“to give us a relationship that is life-giving for both of us, even it it looks different than what I wanted.” I’m learning to trust the Lord and trust that He is in control and wants the best for us.
  From My Heart to Yours,
  Janis
Esther Joy on March 6, 2012 at 9:26 am said:

Loved the photos in your video – especially the rolling ocean waves – beautiful!
- Janis@Open My Ears Lord on March 11, 2012 at 6:39 pm said:
  
  Thank you for your visit here. Hope you’ll return again.
  
  From My Heart to Yours,
  Janis
Katie on March 6, 2012 at 7:11 pm said:

Thank you for being so bold and open in sharing your heart. Isn’t it wonderful how God can use something such as a song to serve as a reminder that we need Him?!
- Janis@Open My Ears Lord on March 11, 2012 at 6:40 pm said:
  
  I am so moved by the Lord’s music to lift my heart. Thank you, Katie, for your visit.
  
  From My Heart to Yours,
  Janis
Charlotte on March 8, 2012 at 3:05 pm said:

Wow, what a beautiful song, photos and video. I had not heard it before. Thank you for sharing them and for sharing your heart.
Blessings,
Charlotte
- Janis@Open My Ears Lord on March 11, 2012 at 6:41 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you enjoyed them Charlotte. Trusting the Lord more each day now.
  
  From My Heart to Yours,
  Janis
Sharon on March 11, 2012 at 1:17 pm said:

Somehow you sing the song that was in my heart last week. It started out as a dirge, as I tried to let go of so many feelings, as I wrestled with fear. Then it became a quiet melody, as I started to turn to the Lord and His comfort. Then, it soared like a praise of thanksgiving, a joyous hymn of gratitude.

Continuing to pray for you. I understand the valley – and I know the inkling of Light that comes through the rain clouds.

GOD BLESS!
- Janis@Open My Ears Lord on March 11, 2012 at 6:42 pm said:
  
  Praise the Lord, Sharon, that the Lord turned your wailing into joy!
  Thank you for your continued prayer. The Light is shining brighter today, Praise God.
  
  From My Heart to Yours,
  Janis