The Concert

Last night I had the privilege of hearing Wayne O'Quin, an accomplished pianist, composer and Fellow at the Julliard School of Music, perform. I have seen Wayne several times in the past, when he was a mere child, and have never been disappointed in his performance. He is a prodigy, to say the very least. I must say that each time I have heard him, I am left speechless. He is an amazing artist and has blessed many in his wake.

As Wayne takes the bench and begins tapping the keys, he completely takes ownership of the keyboard. A tapestry of tunes, notes and colorful images are meshed into a uniqueness that only one, such as himself, could intertwine. The result is a dramatic, thrilling ride that sets you on the edge of your seat until the last note is produced.

To enhance Wayne's talent, is his unashamed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He gives glory and honor to the name of our Lord and Savior. He recognizes his talents and gifts come from his Creator, and is open in verbalizing his faith. Matthew 10:32 tells us, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in Heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in Heaven." Wayne does a great job at recognizing who he serves, and who has gifted him. Wayne, no doubt, will be recognized in the Heavenly kingdom!

As I experienced the emotional ride of Wayne's concert; I began to have an ideology run through my thoughts. (You knew this was coming, did you not?) The same piano Wayne was using, I have used before, however, the sound I produced was completely divergent of the sounds produced by such a skilled master.

A Master, THAT is the significant key to beautiful methodic melodies.
Wayne, being the master of the piano, sat down and took ownership of the instrument and created beauty. He was master to the instrument.

My thought was this; what if I allowed my God to take ownership of me in that same way? Could I too make beautiful creations such as this?

2 Timothy 2:21 says, "…he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

I believe there is a hope for me to produce beautiful creations with my life as well! I just have to bow to the Master Creator, allow Him to make the music, while I revel in the beauty of the design. What an honor it is to be a tool in the plan of my Savior and God.

I bet the piano in our sanctuary is still smiling this morning after being "manipulated" in such a way. I know I am.

Well, I am off to practice on my piano. (HA! Got Ya!) However, I was going to purchase a book of Wayne's compositions, but when I opened to the first page, there were too many black notes being played on ledger lines far above the staff. MMMM….I bought the CD instead.

The Pity Party

The internet, grape juice, and a laptop is probably not the best combination for a late-night, non-alcohol drinking, internet surfing, looking for answers, such as myself, especially last night, kind of person.

I read horror story after horror story about the debilitation my new "friend" "Crohns", could "possibly" bring upon my life, fascinating......not.

I plunged myself into a depressed state of mind , and, in the midst of my "woe is me" perspective, decided to have a pity party, including tears , for most of the remnants of the night.
The pity party was inclusive of three participants; Me, Myself and I, and we were content on the party staying exclusive of all others, for the most part. (For those of you who know me, you recognize, I would hope, that this is not a part of my character. How did I come to such a point that I would have a self-absorbed pity party? I am still astonished to have found myself in such a quandary of thought.)

The accounts of ill bouts people shared were horrid, but the horror was not what reduced me to the weeping disarray mentioned above, it was, in actuality, two simple words, "chronic illness".
So the party raged on through the night, until the wee hours of the morning.

Myself, one of the party attendees, looked up and sighed, "How can this happen?"
Me, on the other hand, angrily replied, "I just dont have time for this! I have too much planned, too much to see, and too much to do!"

I, being the most realistic of the three, was a bit more contemplative, and felt that what was done was done, the three of us just needed to deal with it, and stop whining because it does nothing to change the circumstances with which we were confronted.

Me and Myself, although a bit smug, and not wanting to have a change of heart, decided they would give an ear to I, and hear her out, grudgingly of course.

I begins by stating the obvious facts of the matter:

1. Life is not always full of sunshine, rain comes for a time, and the flowers only bloom after the water has fallen.
2. Circumstances arise that are beyond our control, our reactions to the circumstances show the character we have been cultivating within the depths of our soul.
3. We must choose each day to either be "victorious over" or "victims of" our circumstances, our attitude is everything.
4. We must never allow our circumstances to dictate who we become.
5. We are not the only ones to ever be affected by illness or circumstance, get over it, deal with it, and move on!

After hearing the arguments made by I, Me and Myself began to feel a little awkward at the emotional state in which they had placed themselves.

Realizing the state of their current circumstance, they became conscious of the fact that their emotional cataclysms were futile; and nothing they did, said, or anything else would change the status quo, nor I's opinion. At this realization, I finally announced, resolutely, that the party was over.

Reluctantly, Me stood and meandered toward the door, looking back a few times just in case I invited her to sit and stay. I opened the door and quickly shoved Me through the threshold and out into the wild blue yonder, firmly slamming the door behind, as if to allow no re-entry.

Now, Myself was not as willing to leave, she still had a few points she felt were relevant to her cause, however, I had taken a stand and refused to be moved. Myself knew the demise of her points, and aversely made her way to the door, trying her best to stay, but knowing I was through with the party, and with her. A long sad stare was cast upon I as Myself slithered past, but I was unmoved. I opened the door and watched as Myself made her way out and into the darkness that encroached the world beyond. I closed and locked the door so the selfishness of Me and Myself would not enter back in.

At this, I drew in a deep breath, and reflected back on the party that had just been had. Disappointment, and a bit of anger, welled up within I for allowing such beasts to dine with her in such a way, but she knew in her heart, it would happen never again.

I knew there was a plan, one rich in victory and hope, one in which I would never be alone. The plan was Gods plan, Gods victory, and a hope that is promised to not disappoint.
Struggles, everyone has them, Jesus had his struggle on the hillside of Calvary, all the way to the cross. I see how Jesus handled His pain, His disappointment and His disparity. I choose today to handle my struggle as He, my Savior and my Lord Jesus Christ, handled His, victoriously! I claim His victory in my life today!

No, no more pity parties here, only plans, dreams and reality.

Struggles..Rejoice!

My Freedom To Procrastinate

I am suppose to be writing a paper, therefore, I am setting an extremely substandard example for my intended audience..ALAN do not read this blog!

I am experiencing what several, if not ALL, college students experience at one time or another..procrastination, defined as to post pone doing something, (Encarta Dictionary), usually the inevitable, especially in my case!

Danny....aka..on myspace..Big Daddy....I know you comprehend what I am writing about! Remember the day I walked in your office and you were typing away? I asked what you were working on, I remember you telling me you were writing a paper that was due when???....the night BEFORE?? Lol. (I can hear you laughing right now! I know you remember the incident!) SMILE!

Some of you are moving several miles away from home, some hundreds, and are facing some of the same emotional issues I experienced several years ago, I will not say exactly how many....figure it out. You are experiencing the excitement of being on your own for the first time in your life, as well as the anxieties that the experience brings. Your new found freedom is exciting, as well as alarming, and it should be.

For those of you that are staying home and attending Lee College, a great school I might add, I am speaking to you as well. I am NOT in anyway minimizing the anxieties you face in the new ventures of your life. This is for you too! Read on:

Freedom. The very word draws a deep sense of an almost unexhausted list of demarcations (definitions). Things such as; being free from slavery or captivity, freedom of speech, a right to solely govern ones self.....hmmm......solely governing oneself.....freedom.....theres the alarm I was speaking about.

Freedom brings not only a world of privileges, but also an intensified amount of responsibility as well. Momma will not be there to tell you to get up, brush your teeth, dont forget to.....and DONT be late to class..or, to even go in the first place. (That comment was for Brent! Lol..be sure to ask him about his college days!)

Freedom is choice. You choose what you will do, when you will do it, and how you will accomplish whatever task you perform.

Freedom also brings an adult world, time to grow up. Do not indulge in every situation that comes your way. Not only will you be wasting your parents hard earned money, but, you will travel down a road that you never intended to, and consequences pursue. Set high standards for yourself today, do not wait until the moment to choose arises, it is then too late my friend. If you have no solid ground to stand on, you will sink, and your regrets will be many.

Freedom, in the context in which it was created by God, is a wonderful gift.

How are you going to use your new freedom?

I choose today to be victorious and experience the freedom from sin and bondage that was gifted to me by my Lord and my Savior Jesus Christ, the TRUE Son of God. I choose to release the "freedoms" the world offers, worldly "freedoms" that bind me to sin and destruction..think about it.

As for me, I am feeling a bit convicted about that paper.

As I ponder my own freedom to procrastinate, I realize my fate. I have freedom, but the consequences of my choices are inevitable. I can write the papers, or choose not to. In the same sense, I can choose to pass, or I can choose to fail. The choice is mine, the freedom is mine.

Three papers lay before me; one not begun, one needing to be completed, and one needing revision. The complexities of the restless nature of this dark spirit, procrastination, is finally beginning to be negated with an extreme desire to rise up and attain a positive goal and consequence for today, to achieve a victory! Some one hold me accountable please, Danny??

However, it IS lunch time now, and I do feel a slight grumble in my tummy, I think I will start on it after I eat!

Freedom, how are you spending yours?