Weekly obsession

I have been running on empty on the music front for a long while now, but a few months ago, I felt led to start up a new worship group at our church.

At first, I didn't want to, because I have had no love of singing for the last 6 months at least. As a singer for my whole life, and a worship leader in church, this is obviously a problem. It was borne out of others' expectations of me, I think, and a bit of burnout ("No" needs to be said in church, just like any other walk of life)

About the same time, I found the most amazing band, who sing without instruments, (a Capella) and they are called Pentatonix. They are 5 american singers, Scott, Mitch, Kirstie, (vocals) Avi (Bass) and Kevin(beatboxer extraordinaire). 

With a background in musical theater, harmonies and intricate vocal arrangements have always caught my attention, and fire me like nothing else, so the songs these guys do, their arrangements and the things they can do with their voices has inspired me, and brought back a love of singing that I thought was lost. 

At the moment, their rendition of "Payphone" by Maroon 5 is on repeat in my head, and has become my weekly obsession!! I am thankful for their music, as I am thinking more creatively. I'm also using my voice more, instead of sitting on it, so no-one uses it for their own gain! (yes, that happens in church too!!)

I just have to thank God that He knows just what to use to inspire in us all exactly what He requires, and that His gifts don't depend on our gratefulness!

Check them out on Youtube. 

Come on brain, Get in Gear!

If you don't use it, you lose it.

I have found that to be a very true statement. As I sit, trying to remember how to edit movie footage, I find it to be even more true!!!

My brain knows this information, but I am struggling to drag it from the deep recesses of my mind, in order to get some footage ready for our church Harvest supper on Saturday.

It takes me back to when I was at college, getting my projects ready, fighting through hrs of images and video clips to put to my music compositions. I love it, and I loved learning how to create something that others could enjoy. 

This is how I see singing and songwriting. It has taken a long time for me to be able to say that, as I have always worried and felt that songwriting is too personal to share with anyone else. 

I have been songwriting since college, but since meeting the Lord, He has been giving me lyrics, and so many of my songs are borne out of my worship, about what I want to say to my Savior! 

I have been very lucky really, when we consider my opening statement, that my voice stays in pretty good condition, even when I haven't used it properly in a while. That doesn't mean, though, that I have the right to get lax with it, and of late, I have a little. 

I feel prompted, with the difficulties I have had editing, to get my brain and my butt in gear, and start vocal training on a regular basis again.

Next door neighbors, I'm sorry in advance.......

Music, ah sweet music....

Wow, it's been so long since I sat and looked at the music I own!

I am sat writing this after spending a good 3 hrs sorting through my iTunes library, and updating my iPod. I completely forgot I owned such great music! 

It's amazing what music does for the soul. Music can evoke vivid memories, and soothe the soul, or remind you of a painful time in your life.

Music has always been a part of my life, and it always will be. Looking at my library, I noticed I have music for every mood. I have so many different genres, so many types within those genres, and just looking at some of my old, OLD favorites, I'm reminded of my first heartbreak, my first holiday without my mum and dad, Moving away, meeting the love of my life, the time when my children were born, when I auditioned for musicals, when I met Jesus, every phase of my life.

Music can tell the story of our life, each step, each turn, the gamete of our human emotions and our lives, in my humble opinion, would be so flat without it!

Just my thoughts as I sit here contemplating how rich my life has been, and how much beautiful music has played a part. Blessed doesn't even cover it.......