Music With a Message

Music is the art of combining vocal or instrumental sounds or tones in varying melody, harmony or rhythm. Music has been around since the beginning of time. After all, angels were singing before the earth was created!! Music is found in every known culture; past and present. Music is forever. You can find every genre of music known to man. Hip-hop to jazz, rock to classical, western to pop, rap to big band. You name it; you can find it out there. Music speaks to the very depths of my inner soul. It is a huge part of my everyday life. Give me a song with a good beat and I will move with the best of them. And there is nothing more soothing to the ear than a song with good harmony. But the lyrics are where I make the connection. Call it music with a message. Every song has a message behind it if you just stop long enough to really listen. Unfortunately not every song has a good message. You know the saying, garbage in garage out. I choose to listen to music that is uplifting, positive and with a message that I can apply to my life or to situations around me. There are so many wonderful Christian song writers and artists out there that God has used to deliver powerful messages through their music. One of my favorites is Chris Tomlin. He is such an awesome worship leader. One of his newest songs titled “I Will Rise” not only has a beautiful melody but lyrics that will just draw you to the day that God calls you home. I think about that day often. I wonder what it will be like when I see the face of my King. Will I be met at heaven’s door by the loved ones that have gone before me? Will the streets really be paved with gold? Will I hear the angels sing? I will rise when he calls my name. No more sorrow no more pain. I will rise on eagle’s wings. Before my God, fall on my knees and rise. I am so thankful for the picture that is painted in my mind when I hear this song. I am so thankful for the message; that there is a day drawing near when my savior calls my name.....and I will rise. So, next time you are shuffling through your i-pod or listening to your favorite CD take time to really listen to the lyrics. You just might have a message.

How to Live

Spontaneous. Just what does that word mean? Webster’s definition: Acting, reacting or happening without apparent forethought or prompting. Gayla’s definition: Making a road trip to I Hop in San Marcos at 10:00 PM on a weeknight. Yes, that is exactly what I did with two of my favorite friends. We finally finished up a long night of preparation for the upcoming valentines banquet at church, when I received a message from my tummy. It was telling me I was hungry. Hum, where would I go at 10:00 to get something good to eat? Not much open in this small town at that time of night. So, I threw out the spontaneous card and said; “How does I Hop sound” To my surprise the answer was “yes”. The next thing I knew the three of us were off to San Marcos. We had such a good time. It was almost like we were teenagers sneaking out of the house. We were making memories that will last a life time.

As I reflect over what transpired that night a song came to mind that says it all. I am sure that many of you have heard it before. Point of Grace sings it and is titled “How you Live” Do you wake up to sunlight with your windows wide open? Do you wear your red dress and use your good dishes? Do you turn up your music and turn it up loud? Do you go to the ballgames and to the ballet? Do you take a few a chances and let it all out? It’s all about living!! Don’t take life for granted. Live it to the fullest. Do something crazy, throw out that spontaneous card. You won’t regret it. Because it’s not who you knew and it’s not what you did, IT’S HOW YOU LIVE.

Friends

Having friends is one of the most important assets one can have in life. Friends are there for you through the good times and bad. They are there through the thick and thin. Friends will laugh with you and cry with you. Friends are always willing to lend a listening ear. They give you advice, love and support. They love you unconditionally. I call my friends "angels". Special people that God has placed in my life for a purpose.

I saw first hand this week just how special my "angels" are. You see I was hit this week with the stomach flu. I thought I had met a NBF named John. We became very close over the next few days. Needless to say I was sick. Sick and all alone. But, God in his infinite wisdom sent my special angles to the rescue. The calls started coming in. What can I do to help?, Do you need anything? Even a special package left at the door step filled with all the necessary items to help me get past this rough ride. For the next two days I found myself in bed wondering if I would ever recover. The calls kept coming. I was so humbled by the amount of concern shown me during this time. I am truly blessed to have so many special "angels" in my life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbPKaIozS-c

Patience is a Virtue

Webster's Dictionary defines patience as an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.

God's definition of patience is showing tolerance and fortitude toward others, even accepting difficult situations from them and him, without making demands or conditions. Patience allows us to endure a less than desirable situation to make us better and more useful and even more optimistic.

Living in the fast paced society we live in today we are programmed to not having to be confronted with delay; fast food, quick money (ATM machines), cell phones and the Internet. Let's face it, we do not like to wait! Then when things don't happen as quickly as we want, we don't know how to handle it. It leaves us frustrated, annoyed and sometimes angry.

I will be the first one to admit. I have a problem with patience! Just today I was confronted with delay in getting to lunch. I got behind one of the slowest drivers on the face of the earth! I wanted lunch and I wanted it NOW!! I have also been confronted this week with the delay on getting answers that would eventually affect people in my life who I greatly love. I have allowed it to make me frustrated, annoyed and even angry. I wanted answers and I wanted them NOW!!

I have had to stop and take a good look at what the lack of patience has done to my attitude and to my Christian walk. Impatience, annoyance, worry and fear are all opposites of patience. They prevent us from seeing, as God would wants us to see, that all things will work for his good in the end. We should hang on and place our trust in him. Patience allows us to wait on God's timing. Patience allows us to endure and move on even when we don't feel like it. Patience will allow us to cling to Christ no matter what happens. Patience is hanging on to what is good.

So, the next time you get behind that slow driver on your way to lunch; relax, take a deep breath and just thank God for life!

Never Too Old to Learn New Things

The age of communication. There is just so many ways to do it these days. Clay briefly mentioned setting me up on facebook over the Christmas holidays, but I brushed him off thinking, me on facebook? That's for the younger generation. But, when visiting 3 of my most favorite people in the whole world this past weekend, I discovered they are all part of the world of communication through facebook. Wow, here are 3 people my age engaging with people from all over the world! I have never been one to talk on the phone, even as a teenager. So, could this be a way to communicate without having to open my mouth! I became a little more interested as I watched my sister in law Alice as she wrote back and forth with friends. I began to ask questions and before I knew it she had me all set up. I was now a member of the facebook society. She gave me a quick tutorial on how it all works, but knew I would be on my own when I got home. Most of you who know me, know that I am always willing to try new things. Well this facebook is a new thing to me, but I dug in. It wasn't long before I had my profile all set up, including pictures!! I could hardly stop. I found myself with 18 new friends in just one day!! What would I do with that many friends? Was I becoming a facebook addict? No, no, not me. I am too old for this!! I soon realized that you are never too old to try or learn new things. Communication is the key to a good relationship and if facebook is a way to communicate with others count me in!! Thanks Alice for the inspiration!