The Sounds Of My Music

I love music, all kinds of music, I always have.  Sometimes it is the tune-the soothing piano, the whine of the guitar or the beat of the drum. Sometimes it's the lyrics I find myself enjoying-God is love/your amazing, just the way you are-Just The Way You Are/When I close  my eyes, I feel you here with me-Here With Me/All At Sea Where No one Can Bother Me-All At Sea/Surrounded by Your glory what will my heart feel-I can only imagine/We pour out our miseries God just hears a melody- Better Than A Hallelujah/How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You/But you went away, how dare u? I miss you-Over You/Your home forever now-Birmingham/I will praise you in this storm-Praise You In This Storm/ are some examples. I constantly have music playing.

I am hearing impaired. As my hearing ability continues to decline I find myself listening to music "harder" if you will. I will actually close my eyes and just focus on every part of the song.  Again, it might be the tune, or the beat or the words I'm in tune with, but I am listening "hard". More and more I am finding how songs I have listened to a thousand times are touching my heart, making me think because I am listening, really listening. I am also finding some great new songs to throw in the mix.

As a small child I can remember watching & listening to my dad and my brother play the guitar and sing with one of my sisters. I can also remember going to a few country concerts with my folks which I really enjoyed. I contribute me falling in love with music to my family. Yep, it's their fault.

I feel like my boys have inherited this love for music. They are always listening to music, and like me, a lot of different kinds. I think the listening to different types of music is important as well. Each song is an experience..some good...some bad...some you include in your favorites and others you give the thumbs down and move on.

I love the fact that recently my uncle gave my youngest son a guitar. He picks at it a little but really wants to learn to play. My youngest also enjoys hanging out with my dad and listening to bluegrass. See, it is my dads fault. LOL

 Songs are someone else's story put to music but at times it fits our story. It may even be our story someone has put to music. Just because you sing  along or even just listen it doesn't  mean it will dictate how your story goes. To some that song is just a song. To others it maybe a song of hope or encouragement. I actually know some people who don't listen to music. I realize it is because it might make you think of a bad or sad memory or the words might be a little to convicting. For these folks I say, change the channel, put in a different cd, add new music to your iPod but do not shut out music. Music can be so healing....so let it heal you. Let the music work it's magic on you. Who knows maybe, just maybe you will begin to tap your toes, snap your fingers and sing a long. There is absolutely nothing like being in a funk and have one of your favorite tunes come on..turn it up and sing your heart out. Throw in a 30 second dance party....I swear you will feel better.

So the sounds of my music include folks/groups like Mercy Me, Jamie Cullum, Adele, Drive-By Truckers, Third Day,Big Tent Revival, Miranda Lambert,Collective Soul, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Ed Roland & The Sweet Tea Project, U2,Skrillex, John Mayer,Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Christina Aguilera, and of course James Taylor. So why I can blame my family for helping me fall in love with music, these folks keep me falling in love.

So what's the sound of your music?

Whatever it is...play it often...play it loud....sing your heart out and don't forget to dance!

I Saw A Sign Today....

All of my  life I have been that person who looks for "signs".Everything and anything I do,I am looking for a "sign" to help me make the right decision. I often find myself looking for "signs" of hope.I look for "signs" that things are going to be okay. It is not always easy to see the signs. Sometimes I am sure that God wants to hit me up side the head with a billboard because I keep walking around,over and through the sign He has given me.Sometimes these "signs" are not a literal word, although they can be. Sometimes the "signs" come in the form of a thought that just pops into my head; a repeated sighting of an object (like an owl, another blog for another day) a converstation a friend or stranger initiates with me; a book or song title; a word in a song that I have listened to a million times but never really HEARD and of course "signs" come to me in dreams-some while I sleep and dreams while I am wide awake. 
This morning as I was driving to work I was talking out loud to God and my brother, who lives in heaven, like I do on most days. I was asking questions, what to do about this, how to handle this, should I do it this way or that way. I can picture both of them looking at each other and shaking their heads as if to say "please stop talking". My brother always had the answers for me. He never once even hesitated when I ask for his thoughts, opinion or advice. His wisdom just rolled off of his tongue. I miss that.
I continued to ask them questions all the way to my first stop. I walked into my first appointment and was motioned to go through the door into the next waiting area. I went in, sat down and waited. As I stood to greet the person I was to be meeting with something on the wall caught my eye. It was a picture on the wall that said "In a world where YOU can be anything...Be YOURSELF." The best part of this was there was a small owl included in this picture. For those of you who know me, you totally get that. For those of you who dont know me...the owl is my brother. I will explain that in another post, on another day. BUT for now, I know that today, I ask the questions and I got the sign..I got my answer.



Do you believe in signs?

I used to wait for a sign, she said, before I did anything. Then one night I had a dream & an angel in black tights came to me & said, you can start any time now, & then I asked is this a sign? & the angel started laughing & I woke up. Now, I think the whole world is filled with signs, but if there's no laughter, I know they're not for me.
Brian Andreas