Singing Lessons

Okay, so on Monday night I went to a singing class. I learned a lot, not just about singing but about doing things in general. At first I was like, "Oh great, I'm at a singing class, and the teacher is old, and most of the 'students' are old, too...man, why am I here?" But as I sat there and TRIED to listen patiently, I realized that I was judging all of the people in the room by LOOKS. And some of the older people had good voices and were actually fun to be around! I Here are some of the things I learned:

1. No one is better than you because no one can do exactly what you can do. And no one is lower or worse than you cause you can never do exactly what that person can do. Each of us is special and unique!!

2. Whatever you do, put your heart and soul into it! Be passionate about what you do: it will show, and others will enjoy watching you/doing it with you. You can be incredibly good at something, but if your heart isn't in it you might as well not do it, since people can tell and whatever you're doing will not be glorifying to God. Also, you can be terrible at something, but if you're having fun and relaxed and passionate about what you're doing, then others will enjoy it and have fun with you! I have seen many examples of this.

3. You have to put away your inhibitions, pride, and embarrassment, and just let yourself go. You don't have to go crazy...just stop sitting there pretending to be a statue!! Enjoy life!! If you relax and have fun, you will inspire others to do the same - thus creating a chain-reaction that could include a ton of people! You CAN make a difference in this world...and if you're feeling like you CAN'T, then ask God to give you courage and change your heart!! :)

4. NEVER, no NEVER judge by appearances, no matter how hard you are tempted to! It can cause you to act in a way you wouldn't normally, and it can cause you to miss out on some great friendships. It's very important to get to know the person behind the human mask before forming an opinion of them.

The Rainy Days of Life

I don’t understand people at all. They will say, “It’s such a beautiful evening” when it is warm and the sunset is gorgeous. But if it is cold or cloudy or rainy, they will say something like, “Oh, it’s so yucky out!” Don’t they understand that beauty is not always in the bright and cheerful and obvious?
I am not like most people. When it rains, I love it. I run and dance in the rain. I love to look at the shiny, wet pavement, watch the droplets fall from the sky, and stare in wonder at the dark gray melancholy clouds. The rainy day is filled with just as much beauty as the sunny summer day. I feel so full of life when I look at the rain. It washes away the dirt, the hurt, and the tears. It makes me long for a new beginning. The rain is essential for life; it brings water to the earth, feeding the plants, which in turn feed the animals, which in turn feed us…it’s called the food chain (that just ruined the whole rain idea xD oops. Anyway…).
The gray clouds that shed the rain block the sun from our view, creating the dismal feeling that makes people dislike rain. But even the melancholy-ness of the rain is only our feeling; truth is what matters. And sometimes it is nice to feel melancholy and slow and quiet, when our lives are so busy, or even too cheerful at times. Rejoice all the elements of each day, whether it’s sunny or cloudy, cold or hot, slow or fast; just enjoy it.
Don’t always look for a “silver lining” that is bright; sometimes the best things are solemn and harsh or quiet and dim, yet still beautiful. There is peace and beauty in silence. And when you open your heart and stop chattering away with worries, requests, and pleas, then God can quietly talk to you. That is what the rainy days are for.

Life: the “period of existence”

Is that all life is? A “period of existence”? Isn’t there more to life than just breathing and being alive? YES! There is more – so much more! Life isn’t about living for yourself, wallowing in all the cares of the world and letting things hit you as you walk by. Life is supposed to be lived for someone besides yourself: God. He is perfect, loving, holy, and He made you.

True life is when you put yourself and your desires away, and start caring about other people. This isn’t easy; in fact, it’s impossible! But, as is stated in the Holy Bible: “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ God can change you, and make you a new person! God can fill your life with all that it has been missing!

Rainy Days

If you’re having trouble reconciling yourself to yet another rainy day, read the lyrics below (from 3 different songs) and think how they apply. Not just to the physical storms of from the sky, but the storms of you life that you have to deal with…lay your load of problems on Jesus.

Blue Sky by Francesca Battistelli

When you’re down and you’re out
And you don’t think you have a friend
When you’re lost in the doubt
And you can’t see what’s around the bend

Just hold on
Don’t turn around
Keep on walking
Don’t lose heart
‘Cause I am here, I am here
Wherever you are, wherever you are

(Chorus)
When the rain is falling
And there’s no silver lining
And you just can’t seem to find the light
When you need a reason
To help you keep believing
Let My love be your blue sky

Don’t you know that I know
Life can be so hard it makes you wanna give up
But don’t you know over the horizon
The sunny day you’re looking for
Is waiting right here in My love

Just hold on
Don’t turn around
Keep on walking
Don’t lose heart
‘Cause I am here, I am here
Wherever you are, wherever you are

(Chorus)

Come on come on
Don’t you be afraid
Whatever comes tomorrow
My love is here to stay

(Chorus)

I Believe In Love by Barlow Girl

How long will my prayers seem unanswered?
Is there still faith in me to reach the end?
I'm feeling doubt I'm losing faith
But giving up would cost me everything
So I'll stand in the pain and silence
And I'll speak to the dark night

I believe in the sun even when it's not shining
I believe in love even when I don't feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent
And I,
I believe

Though I can't see my stories ending
That doesn't mean the dark night has no end
It's only here that I find faith
And learn to trust the one who writes my days
So I'll stand in the pain and silence
And I'll speak to the dark night

I believe in the sun even when it's not shining
I believe in love even when I don't feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent
And I,
I believe

No dark can consume Light
No death greater than this life
We are not forgotten
Hope is found when we say

I believe in the sun even when it's not shining
I believe in love even when I don't feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent
And I,
I believe.

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now,
God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus