Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Song(s) of the week #2

I'm so excited, it's Wednesday and I get to tell you about my favourite music... I just couldn't pick only one song this week... so I've chosen my favourite (non-Christian) songs... that I'm also hatching a plan for...

As I mentioned last week I love to sing, and I harbour a not-so-secret ambition to earn money for my singing ability.  I do not want to be famous, but I'd like to be respected for my craft...

Well, here goes... listen & look out for my debut album one day, it might go something like this:

  1. Breath in Now (George)
  2. Morning Theft (Jeff Buckley)
  3. Walk On (U2)
  4. Dancing Lessons (Sinead O'Connor)
  5. Lovefool (I scored "Superstar" on SingStar for that one!) (The Cardigans)
  6. Heal Me (Lior)
  7. Now We're Getting Somewhere (Crowded House)
  8. Rhythm & Blues Alibi (Gomez)
  9. Heartbeat & Sails (Augie March)
  10. Planet Earth (Eskimo Joe)
  11. Sometimes (Michael Franti)
  12. You Make it Easy (Air)
  13. You Made me the Thief of Your Heart (Sinead O'Connor sings it, but I don't think she wrote it)
  14. No More (not sure of the artist for this one either...)

I'll give you the lyrics for Breath in Now for a start....

I see love and beauty all around
I also see the sadness that’s embedded in your frown
I wonder why you choose not to talk to those who surround
I sense of fear of lifting heavy feet higher than you want to 
I just want to believe you’re true

You stand there but you do not cast a shadow
You walk away with every word you choose not to say
I suppose I’m moving on paint some new colour for each day
I don’t like to see dreams put on the shelf to deal with on that one day
I just want to be happy for you

  Because I only have one second this minute today
  I can’t press rewind and turn it back and call it now
  And so this moment I just have to sing out loud
  And say I love, I like and breath in now
  And say I love I live and breath in now

I move on holding on to what I’ve learned
It’s time to let go of the notion that the whole worlds against me
Break free of shackles that formed young
Time free and now, and now I know 
It’s not all up to me 
I can count on another
So move on lighter and be free

‘Cause I only have one second this minute today
  I can’t press rewind and turn it back and call it now
  And so this moment I just have to sing out loud
  And say I love, I like and breath in now
  And say I love I live and breath in
I believe in for today
I just want to know that you’re ok
‘Cause I believe in breathing just for today
I just want to know that you’re ok

Because I only have one second this minute today
  I can’t press rewind and turn it back and call it now
  And so this moment I just have to sing out loud
  And say I love, I like and breath in now
And say I love, I like and breath in now
And say I love, I live and breath in now


Requsests for mix-tapes (CDs these days) acceptable, but you'll have to manage with the originals for now... stay tuned for my versions!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

a thought for Tuesday

Seeing that I have a bit of extra time on my hands, and find myself at somewhat of another crossroad (yet again!)  I've been doing lots of thinking....

As I was thinking about sleeping, and completing my bible reading for the day, I found myself once again turning over thoughts about obediance and trust (in God).

Many of you will know about my tendency to be a bit of a worrier... I've been challenged lately, yet again, that our task as Christ followers is not to worry, but to trust in God.  Easier said than done is all I say about that for now! (Old habits die hard)

More interestingly at the time I was reflecting on obedience.  Some members of my family were formerly living in a cult, for which the school motto was "To hear is to obey".  Now this phrase always gave me the "heebies" for want of a better word - i.e. it made me shiver, feel a little fear, etc.  Last night I was reflecting on why this is... (as it still gives me the heebies!)

  1. Is it because of the community and what it represents to me?
  2. Is it because of my personality (and dislike of authoritarianism)?

I'll expand a little on both these things... but more on the second today, as I want to speak to my relations before I talk in depth about the community.

To start with 1 though... "To hear is to obey".  Like all reverent disciples, my family firmly believed in the outworking truth of this statement while they were members of the community.  We received school calendars with the school emblem, and the statement, every Christmas.  In any of the fairly rare correspondence or interactions I exchanged with my family during that time the overbearing nature of this statement was front and centre and I resented it.  Now I wonder how they, being free from the community, now think about the phrase, and more widely what they think about obedience....  I shall endeavour to sensitively ask them soon...

On 2, I admit it... I'm anti-authoritarian, and quite proud of it!  That doesn't mean I have no respect for authority, but rather that I dislike the style of leadership that is authoritarian in nature.  So, when I am given an order (especially by someone who I don't think qualifies to give me orders) I am likely to respond negatively.  This made for much trouble and altercations as a young kid.  My mum, and other members of my family, will quite happily tell you of my "famous" showdowns as a kid.  However, my parents were on the whole gentle but firm discipliners, and we grew to understand one another.... ;)  Still, I struggle at times with this... perhaps it's just 'cause I'm a little of the contrary kind of girl too... You tell me to do it one way, so I'll try it the other... Tell me not to, so I will... that kind of thing.  As I've grown up I'm believe I'm better at keeping this in check... especially so as to be more "socially appropriate", and of course to get along in work, and other places with less conflict!  I don't tend to pick a fight just for the sake of it, for instance, though I will if I'm feeling especially cheeky.  On the one hand all this makes me smile at the funny memories it brings to mind...  but on the other hand I fully recognise that it is precisely this part of my nature that has made my own life difficult... especially as relating to my relationship with God.

I long to be a good disciple of Jesus... but I'm not!  Though that doesn't come as a surprise, does it?  I want to pray that prayer... (from St Richard, according to Google!)

LORD,

May I know you more clearly;
Love you more dearly;
And follow you more nearly

Amen <><

PS... and I'm fairly sure that the answer to the "heebies" question... is a bit of both!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Lost to the music

What blessings I have enjoyed of late (a wonderful consolation to the difficulties I've also faced)!

Last month, for my birthday I was given a slightly different present from my sister.  We have enjoyed going to live shows together (especially as she doesn't get out much, being the married woman!)  Anyway, she gave me a choice... I could

  1. Go and see "Crazy for You" by The Production Company 
  2. Go and see "The National Boys Choir" concert at The Melbourne Recital Centre, or
  3. Ask for a CD or DVD of my choosing

Well, it was immediately a choice between 1 and 2.  CDs and DVDs are great, but there's nothing quite like an "experience".  The choice was finally decided by two factors; one, I really wanted to see the "new" Melbourne Recital Centre, and the program for the concert included a mix of tradtional works and the premier of a new Australia opera!

So on Saturday night Glenda and I duly went off the the Melbourne Recital Centre.  One of the choristers is the son of one of her school collegues... and would you believe that she was seated next to that same chorister's Grandma!!  Coincidences galore.  Then at interval, we saw another common friend of ours, who received her ticket complimentary of the man who wrote the opera!

Well, it was fantastic!  The whole program was enjoyable from start to finish.  We were seated in the front row (BB), so at times our view was just slightly obscured, but it didn't matter.  The acoustics in the new Elisabeth Murdoch auditorium were excelent.  You could see some nerves and twitches at times, but considering that none of the boys would be over 13 years old (they're kicked out of the choir as soon as their voices break)!  It was just marvellous.  

The premier was Melbourne's only chance to see the opera at this stage, so we were counting our lucky stars.

I have attempted to add a couple of links... one from the Eastern Leader with a story about the opera, (http://maroondah-leader.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/choir-boys-war-story/) and the other from the ABC (a transcript of an interview with two of the original choristers)

http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/history/Transcripts/s1071232.htm

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

(Inaugural) Song of the Week

I’m going to try and post my “song of the day” once a week… so here for you is my first song of the week.

Those of you who “know” me would know how much I love music and especially singing. For my first song (and one I’ve sung loudly several times this evening) I’m going back to a well-known gospel tune that I first leant to love as a member of a Christian Youth Choir in Adelaide… takes me back almost 10 years now… 

Anyway, here tis….

He Never Failed Me Yet!

Chorus
I will sing of God’s mercy
Every day, every hour he gives me power
I will sing and give thanks to thee
For all the dangers, toils and snares that he has brought me out
He is my God, and I’ll serve him
(No matter what the test) solo
Trust and never doubt
Jesus will surely bring you out
He never failed me yet!
Repeat Chorus

Verse 1 solo
I know God is able
To deliver in times of storm
And I know that he’ll keep me
Safe from all earthly harm!
One day when my weary soul is at rest
I’m going home to be forever blessed!

together Trust and never doubt, Jesus will surely bring you out
He never failed me yet!

Chorus

Verse 2 solo
Didn’t my God deliver Moses from King Pharaoh?
And didn’t he cool the fiery furnace
for Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednigo?
When I think of what my God can do
He delivered Daniel; I know he will deliver you!

together Trust and never doubt, Jesus will surely bring you out
He never failed me yet!

Chorus (then)

Bridge to end

He never failed me; he never failed me yet (builds x4)

Trust and never doubt, Jesus will surely bring you out (rit)

HE…. NEVER FAILED…. ME… YET!!!!

(add whoops, cheers, claps, stamps, whatever takes your fancy... just make it a joyful song of encouragement and praise!)

You can You-tube an example, but my favourite version is currently on high rotation in my car... (it's a cassette recording!)

Tschuss till next time! <><

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Moving part 2

I'm no longer homeless!

Though still in between homes.... I had a lovely week last week house and dog sitting for my sister and her husband. They had a week's holiday in Perth (and I hardly had time to be jealous!!)

Peach (the dog) was great at keeping me company too, and I walked, with her, 5 out of 7 days.... Not too bad, especially as the weather was not too conducive to strolling most of last week.

Today, however the sun is shining brightly (and it looks much warmer outside than it actually is!) Ah, Melbourne in winter... when I don't have to get up and go to work early in the morning, I really like it ;)

This week, I'm staying with good friends, and hope to complete the move to my new place by this time next week....

No, moving is not fun... but soon I will be installed at my new address...

  • In one of the two suburbs I was praying for
  • To live with a lovely (piano playing) christian lady
  • And with many thanks to the people that have helped me through all this
  • I "should" be adequately settled prior to my parentals arriving back in Oz
God is so good, and I have no more moments to waste on this beautiful sunny day....
By for now, I'm thinking my next post will be from my new address (YAY!)