from a telephone conversation with my mother.
Marie: "And I didn't spot Prince Charming in my class, which was too bad."
Mom: "I'd been wondering about that, actually."
Marie: "Well, there aren't any cute guys, at least...........well, not that I always go for the cute ones, I guess."
(At this point Ashley nods knowingly. Thanks.)
Marie: "...you there?"
Mom: "Just trying to think of what to say..."
Marie: "Tell me to hold out for a cute one!"
Mom: "Oh, I wouldn't say that. The cute ones are usually cocky. I mean, God rewarded ME, but..."
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Music Testimony
written for adult choir at my church; each week someone is featured on the back of the rehearsal notes, for a getting-to-know-you kind of thing.
I grew up attending Liberty Manor Baptist, in Liberty, where my mom plays the piano and my dad sings in the choir. Music was never a choice for me—it’s my default setting. I mean, as small children my brother and I played with Mr. Potato Heads under the piano while my mom gave lessons.
I started taking piano lessons from my mom the summer before kindergarten. I switched to violin in fifth grade—piano skips a generation, I’ve heard?—and was involved in school orchestra, choir, and musicals for the rest of my Liberty career.
Meanwhile, I’d given my life to Christ as a child and I joined church choir in eighth or ninth grade. After some personnel upheaval, I found myself called to be interim minister of music for six months when I was sixteen. It was inevitable, really; both my parents had done it in the past! Although I had little responsibility beyond leading music on Sunday mornings, the ministry role was a tremendous opportunity for me to serve my church and the Lord at a young age.
My personal definition of music as worship occurred around that time. My school choir sang a gorgeous arrangement of “How Can I Keep from Singing?” I know it’s incredibly cliché, but that’s exactly what it is for me—how could I not? “No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging; since I believe that love abides how can I keep from singing?” Or, for an alternative perspective on the theme, “if every tongue were still the noise would still continue, the rocks and stones themselves would start to sing!” (Jesus Christ Superstar paraphrase of Luke 19:40.)
I moved to Springfield for college and soon thereafter started attending FBC. Nowadays I help with Children’s Choir, play in the orchestra, and hang out here in choir, of course. While I never could have done music as a career—um, the reason Mom quit giving me piano lessons was because I have a tendency not to practice—it is as natural a part of my life as laughing. And praise God for giving us so much to sing about—honestly, how could I keep from singing?
I grew up attending Liberty Manor Baptist, in Liberty, where my mom plays the piano and my dad sings in the choir. Music was never a choice for me—it’s my default setting. I mean, as small children my brother and I played with Mr. Potato Heads under the piano while my mom gave lessons.
I started taking piano lessons from my mom the summer before kindergarten. I switched to violin in fifth grade—piano skips a generation, I’ve heard?—and was involved in school orchestra, choir, and musicals for the rest of my Liberty career.
Meanwhile, I’d given my life to Christ as a child and I joined church choir in eighth or ninth grade. After some personnel upheaval, I found myself called to be interim minister of music for six months when I was sixteen. It was inevitable, really; both my parents had done it in the past! Although I had little responsibility beyond leading music on Sunday mornings, the ministry role was a tremendous opportunity for me to serve my church and the Lord at a young age.
My personal definition of music as worship occurred around that time. My school choir sang a gorgeous arrangement of “How Can I Keep from Singing?” I know it’s incredibly cliché, but that’s exactly what it is for me—how could I not? “No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging; since I believe that love abides how can I keep from singing?” Or, for an alternative perspective on the theme, “if every tongue were still the noise would still continue, the rocks and stones themselves would start to sing!” (Jesus Christ Superstar paraphrase of Luke 19:40.)
I moved to Springfield for college and soon thereafter started attending FBC. Nowadays I help with Children’s Choir, play in the orchestra, and hang out here in choir, of course. While I never could have done music as a career—um, the reason Mom quit giving me piano lessons was because I have a tendency not to practice—it is as natural a part of my life as laughing. And praise God for giving us so much to sing about—honestly, how could I keep from singing?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
*gesture*
Listening to Spice Girls on the way home tonight I realized what had started a year ago tonight. I was halfway-composing an emo blog, but you know, I am not feeling emo. I am feeling energized and well-rested and in love with life. So fuck that. ha!
Remind me sometime later to write a post about my failure as an environmentalist.
Thinking about joining my church here in Springfield. As far as FBC-Sf vs. LMBC goes, sure, it would make more sense to be a member of FBC now that I'm here for a good long while. But what's holding me back is...I mean...I just don't believe some of the whole Baptist doctrine.The whole Christianity doctrine. I love church. I love being involved and helping people and the superficial kind of stuff. But I 100% do not believe John 14:6, the whole no one comes to the Father except through Jesus thing. And probably to join a church I'd have to agree to some sort of basic doctrine, and that would be on it. And I can't lie to join a church, for goodness' sake. So I would be joining for the wrong reasons, I guess? I want to join because it's weird for me to be so involved and not even be a member, mostly. So that I can be a better part of the community. Not for any God-type reasons at all...
I mean, look at my facebook page. My religious beliefs are not "love God, love people" (the essence of Christianity, I would say). My religious beliefs are "love your neighbor as yourself."
Don't get me wrong, I believe in God, and I love Him (It? Her?). But I just don't see how that's anywhere near as relevant, as important, as necessary, as doing everything you can to end suffering here in the terrestrial realm.
In conclusion...I have no motivation to remain a member at my home church. But I don't think I can honestly join a church with my current belief set.
Remind me sometime later to write a post about my failure as an environmentalist.
Thinking about joining my church here in Springfield. As far as FBC-Sf vs. LMBC goes, sure, it would make more sense to be a member of FBC now that I'm here for a good long while. But what's holding me back is...I mean...I just don't believe some of the whole Baptist doctrine.
I mean, look at my facebook page. My religious beliefs are not "love God, love people" (the essence of Christianity, I would say). My religious beliefs are "love your neighbor as yourself."
Don't get me wrong, I believe in God, and I love Him (It? Her?). But I just don't see how that's anywhere near as relevant, as important, as necessary, as doing everything you can to end suffering here in the terrestrial realm.
In conclusion...I have no motivation to remain a member at my home church. But I don't think I can honestly join a church with my current belief set.
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