Today my husband is attending the funeral of one of his friends and he is having a tough time with it, as any of us probably would. Three months ago, this man was diagnosed with lung cancer...a result of a lifetime of smoking. About 4 weeks ago, he came to see Nelson...they cut up and visited and caught up on life...he was thinner than Nelson remembered but he was doing well. They made plans for Nelson to come work at his house again to do the electrical on the addition he was building. Two weeks later, a mutual friend came in to tell Nelson that his friend was in ICU and in a coma and not expected to make it thru the night. They had removed all life support. Last week, he passed away.
What's the perspective? First of all, time is short and there are no guarantees on tomorrow. If amends need to be made, make them. If forgiveness needs to be given, give it....or ask for it. If bridges need to be repaired, repair them. If you need to tell someone you love them, do it. You don't know if you will have another opportunity to take care of business. Secondly, this has been a tough year for us in so many many areas including financial and I was worrying about having money not only to pay bills, but didn't know how we were going to buy any Christmas gifts for the kids. I couldn't bear the thought of my child being disappointed. I thought this was going to be the worst Christmas ever and depression and hopelessness seemed to overwhelm me once again. But when the news of this friend came to us, it put some things into perspective. I can only imagine how tragic this Christmas is for this man's family. A handful of days before Christmas and they are burying their loved one. This man never dreamed a few weeks ago that he would not be here on this earth to spend Christmas with his family. You know, we have so much to be thankful for....our health, our family, our friends, our church and most important, a relationship with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Christmas has lost its true meaning for so many of us, even Christians....the focus is on the gifts we receive and the gifts we give. But we "I" need to remember the real meaning of Christmas and fall on my knees before my Christ and give Him all the Glory and Honor that He so deserves.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Whisper Above the Roar
I wanted to pass this along...
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin..a mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. To her horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.' At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, 'Don't quit . . Keep playing.' Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.'
Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the Hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You too may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear.
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin..a mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. To her horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.' At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, 'Don't quit . . Keep playing.' Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.'
Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the Hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You too may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear.
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Music Within
So...lately, I've been searching for the music...I know its still in there somewhere. What do I mean? Well, music has always been a huge part of my life and who I am, especially on the inside. I know I'm not the greatest talent out there by a long shot, but the music God gives you on the inside and what He calls you to do with it is not based on being the best talent out there. He just says, what are you going to do with the talent I gave you? Is it annointed? Are you glorifying my Name with it? Is it worship unto Me?
Most people don't know that I have been singing in church in front of people since I was 3 years old. I remember they used to stand me up on top of the altar so people could see me and put a microphone in front of me and I simply did what came naturally and that was sing. I sang in competitions, in plays, you name it. At age 13 I was chosen to be part of a group of 12 teenagers from around the state and we traveled almost every weekend holding services. I did that until I graduated high school and then I did it in college. I've sung in about every size church from tiny little country churches to the big mega churches all over the country and even at the P.H. church General Convention in front of 10,000+ people. As a teenager, several specific prophecies had been given over me concerning music ministry. My first year in college I majored in music and had some of the best professors and vocal instructors that exist. I began writing music (that was partly because it was required for some of my classes) but then it began coming from within me and I didn't even know it had been there. I played piano and tried to learn to play guitar. After the first year, I changed my major and schools because my dad told me I wasn't good enough and what in the world was I going to do with a music degree, that I had no future. I think thats when the music began to die. I was never good enough. And so my focus shifted and changed. I say all of that to say this...my focus shifted off of what God had instilled in me. The music inside of me came from Him. Its still there...I get glimpses of it once in awhile. Now I am searching for it once again....not because I think of performing or anything, but because its who I am. And if its only to worship Him in private, then thats what I'm going to do. I want to begin playing again but its like starting over. I know the music is still in there and one of these days its going to come out again in the form of new songs...I can feel it...
Most people don't know that I have been singing in church in front of people since I was 3 years old. I remember they used to stand me up on top of the altar so people could see me and put a microphone in front of me and I simply did what came naturally and that was sing. I sang in competitions, in plays, you name it. At age 13 I was chosen to be part of a group of 12 teenagers from around the state and we traveled almost every weekend holding services. I did that until I graduated high school and then I did it in college. I've sung in about every size church from tiny little country churches to the big mega churches all over the country and even at the P.H. church General Convention in front of 10,000+ people. As a teenager, several specific prophecies had been given over me concerning music ministry. My first year in college I majored in music and had some of the best professors and vocal instructors that exist. I began writing music (that was partly because it was required for some of my classes) but then it began coming from within me and I didn't even know it had been there. I played piano and tried to learn to play guitar. After the first year, I changed my major and schools because my dad told me I wasn't good enough and what in the world was I going to do with a music degree, that I had no future. I think thats when the music began to die. I was never good enough. And so my focus shifted and changed. I say all of that to say this...my focus shifted off of what God had instilled in me. The music inside of me came from Him. Its still there...I get glimpses of it once in awhile. Now I am searching for it once again....not because I think of performing or anything, but because its who I am. And if its only to worship Him in private, then thats what I'm going to do. I want to begin playing again but its like starting over. I know the music is still in there and one of these days its going to come out again in the form of new songs...I can feel it...
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