Tag: music

WORKING TOGETHER IN HARMONY

Isn’t it neat to think about all the things in this world that work together in harmony?

As humans, but made in God’s image, I think all the more WE should look for ways to work in harmony and make this world a better place for others.

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I think that is how God wants us to be with one another…helping each other to live in harmony, whether through an encouraging word, physically helping another in some way, praying for another, or sharing some gift that we have.

This thought of how things work together in harmony occurred to me when I was attending a Philharmonic concert recently. Especially since I do not have the gift of music, it amazes me to think how, with the vast amount of instruments in an orchestra or band, and so many different people playing, that such great music is the result! I am in awe of how all of the instrumentalists, with their various instruments, know exactly the right time to come in and play their own parts. So many instruments and different people from all walks of life can work so well together and play some beautiful, harmonious music!

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Photo credit by Mike Fisher under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

How about how God made all of nature to work together in harmony? From the trees, to the flowers, to the animals, to the birds of the sky, each has their own job and purpose on this earth. Snakes help reduce the rodent population and mosquitoes are actually a great food source for birds, fish, and frogs among other creatures. Again, they all live together in harmony.

Think about the huge oceans in this world and how the many creatures there live in harmony. Each creature in the sea exists to live in harmony and fulfill a purpose. Why there are even major ecosystems making beautiful coral reefs for our eyes to behold.

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Photo credit by Derek Keats under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

If you have a career, think about how much more smoothly things work when people all work together in harmony. Being respectful and caring in our interactions, rather than demanding or mean is one way to work more harmoniously. How about letting people think about and have a say in the way something could maybe work better? Maybe the “lowly” person in the company holds the key to improving a process and save the company some money! Working together in harmony is much more beneficial.

In your home, especially if you have children at home, life is so much better if you can find ways to live in harmony. If the kids are always fighting or arguing, life can be so draining and it doesn’t benefit anyone.

Our churches should be places where people feel welcome and a sense of community where love is the center of everything that is done. People praying for one another and helping each other in whatever way they need. No one should be in need for physical things. Having programs to enrich and grow in our faith are important things to help us live more harmoniously with one another.

Reaching out to a stranger through a smile at the store, inviting a friend over for dinner when you know they are all alone, or sending a card to brighten someone’s day can help us live in harmony. You just might be the one God uses to help another see something in a different light, and that just might change their life for the better enabling them to live a life of harmony.

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Photo credit by Danielle Lynn under Creative Common License (CC BY 2.0)

I do think it is so cool how God can use every event and circumstance in our life to affect another. It might be to benefit you in some way or maybe it was just what the other person needed. God is so good and it is so powerful to see how everything is connected. I can help you, you can help me, and together we can glorify the Lord in all we do and say. It is awesome to be open to seeing the Lord working in all of creation and to live in harmony with one another.

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. –1 Peter 3:8-9

LESSONS FROM A THIRD DAY CONCERT

For anyone that kind of knows me, you probably know that I am a huge fan of Third Day, a Christian band.  Since first hearing them at a Women of Faith conference in Rochester, NY in Sept. of 2013, I have been blessed to attend six more concerts of theirs.  One even included a two day event at a Friend & Family Faith Camp in Atlanta, GA with my 13 year old son!  Their song’s messages seem to speak to my soul, encourage, and uplift me.  Yes, I admit I listen to them everyday and the songs always speak to my heart and never get old.

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The most current adventure took my traveling buddy and friend, Mary-Jo and I to Youngstown, OH in mid November, which was a good 5 1/2 hr trip….one of our furthest treks together.
This writing was inspired by a friend wishing me a great trip and saying she was expecting I’d come back with some writing/learning experience from my trip. With her comment in mind, it made me stop and reflect on events as they were happening to see what I was inspired to write and share.
More inspiration came from our trip home when Mary-Jo and I were listening on CD to the book called “Lessons from the Road” by Nigel James, road pastor for Third Day.  So, I thought it would be neat to list some “Lessons from a Third Day Concert” that I thought about.
1-It can be a real blessing to get away for a day from the routine of life.
Most of our trips are only 24 hours long due to the fact we have kids at home and the different responsibilities that being wives, and mothers entails.  The traveling usually ends up taking longer than we expect, so there is usually just time to check out the hotel, grab a quick bite to eat somewhere, and head to the concert. But, our time is always blessed.  The car rides gives us a chance to catch up on what is happening in our lives and then to have some good, more in-depth conversations about faith, etc. as well as quality time listening to some great Third Day music. Having a quiet hotel room with no kids is always refreshing. Though short in time, we do come back refreshed and inspired once again.
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  –2 Corinthians 4:16   
 
2-We need to trust the Lord in our travels.
As I said, this last adventure was in mid November, and of all years, what did we have here in the northeast that early?  Yes, cold and snow the day before our trip. Thanks to my oldest son’s advice, I had snow tires put on the car the day before in anticipation. When I checked in with Mary-Jo finalizing plans that day, and I told her about the snow tires, she said, “Are you expecting a blizzard or something?”
When we left for the trip, the sun was actually shining.  But, it wasn’t long into the trip when the clouds started coming, then some flurries, then more sun, snow showers, and eventually a period of snow covered roads with low visibility causing us to go 35-40 mph on the highway.  Mary-Jo & I couldn’t help but think of her comment the day before!  Later, we could chuckle about it! There was no choice but to continue on, slow and steady, even though it was difficult because each time the conditions got bad, we had no idea how long it would last.  We didn’t know what would be next. We did have our boots, hats, and gloves in the car just in case.
It comforted me knowing that we had people at home praying for our safe travels and that we were prepared as best we could be to brave the elements. It was also comforting having someone to share the adventure with. Together is better!
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  –Psalm 56:3
 
3-Meeting “stars” can be intimidating, but they’re humans just like you and me!  We’re really all the same.
I have been thoroughly blessed to have been part of the VIP experiences with the four main guys of Third Day. Each time, I still get nervous, and feel that I probably appear scatter brained, but I also need to remember that they are really people just like you and me.  The guys are so down-to-earth that they make you feel comfortable, but it’s just that you see them for such a few seconds, it’s hard to say what you want to say, shake their hand, and get your picture with them. It is easy to put them on a pedestal, but they don’t look at it that way.  Their lives reflect that God created us all equal, though we do all have different talents or gifts.
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Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.”  –Acts 10:34
 
4-It is a blessing to meet the “behind the scenes” people too.
At this last concert in Ohio, I had the honor of having my picture taken with Third Day’s road pastor, Nigel James. Through social media, I have had the privilege of learning from his wisdom when he posts parts of the devotionals that he does with the guys.  I truly believe that Nigel is a humble, man of God.  It is so special that the guys have him to tour with them.

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…All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. –1 Peter 5:5-6
 
5-It is a huge blessing to make others feel special.
The guys of Third Day are very good at making all their fans feel special and like they are important to them. It always amazes me to think about how often this group does these concerts.  At most of them, they take time to do meets & greets, and often, even signing autographs. The tour manager or road pastor will help get everyone organized so that things move right along. Doing this day after day must get so tiring, especially after an intense concert with no intermission, but the guys never let you feel less than special!  They introduce themselves, shake your hand, ask your name, and even thank you for coming.  They, too, are humble men of God.
One of the things that made me feel most special was at a concert in Lancaster, PA back in August 2014 when they were doing autographs.  Mac, the lead singer, put his hand out to shake my hand, and said “I know you from Twitter.” That blew me away.  From the many, many fans and followers that he has, he actually recognized little ole ME!  Since that time, he even calls me by my name. And, he has been gracious on two different occasions to let me get a picture with him.  Those things have really made me feel so special and appreciated.

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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  –Philippians 2:3-4
 
6-It is important to let others know how much you are blessed by them.
As a fan whose life has been touched by Third Day’s music, I always wish there was a way to convey to them how blessed my life has been through them and their music.  The first time I met them in person, I had the idea to share with each of them, including some “behind the scene” people of theirs, one of my verse books that I had recently printed up that I had written years ago.  It was fun to write each of them a personal message in the book.  I hope they were blessed in some small way through it.
I wish I knew what else would bless them, but the best I can come up with is to just try to convey to them with my words, whether in person or via social media, how much their music, and they bless my life.
It is more blessed to give than to receive.  –Acts 20:35
 
7-Third Day concerts are great times of worship.
Having front row seats or fairly close to front, certainly adds to the specialness of the concerts. You can just focus on the guys and their music, it becomes quite a time of worship.  I found this especially true at the last concert in Ohio.  I’m not really musical, but I was there singing along and trying to clap on beat!  I think I was actually doing it a little bit!
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.  –Psalm 95:1-2
 
8-Getting out of your comfort zone and sharing your faith with other fans can be such a blessing.
My life has also been enriched through meeting more long time fans of Third Day, called Gomers.  The reason I was originally going to the Ohio concert was to meet one such Gomer, who I had been friends with on social media, but never talked to in person. We had been conversing back and forth, and actually inspired each other to attend the concert.  Because she was going, I was going, and vice versa.  It was a great blessing meeting her in person, along with a few other Gomers at that show.  Doing something out of my comfort zone, like talking with these strangers over a late night dinner was a blast!  When we reach out to others and support one another, I think we are certainly blessed in ways we don’t expect.

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For where two or three are come together in my name, there am I with them.  –Matthew 18:20
 
I am truly so thankful for the many ways my life has been enriched the last year and half since seeing Third Day in person for the first time.  It has truly had a ripple effect on my life…..
–Seeing Third Day for the first time
–Getting inspired with Third Day music
–Meeting Third Day in person
–Expanding horizons to more social media
–Meeting many wonderful people through social media
–Inspiration to write again and share what is in my heart
–Joining a Christian blogger group to spread joy
–Meeting and reading inspiring posts
I can’t help but be amazed and so thankful!!
So, to the guys of Third Day (Nigel included!), I end with this…..
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  –Philippians 1:3-6 
This is one of my favorite Third Day songs called “Offering.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBzbN_Krh7M