Friday, May 25, 2012

Spanish Guitar

I'm listening to Spanish Guitar music on Grooveshark.com.  The selections are from an album of the same name.  This collection includes a wide range of styles and genres, but they are all played on acoustic guitar, sometimes including other instruments, and are either composed or performed by Spaniards or in a Spanish style, I presume! :)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

How To Breathe.

Today I'm listening in layers.  I have Yo-Yo Ma playing baroque cello in the studio while on my laptop via grooveshark.com I'm listening to Sara Groves' "All Right Here."  I'm all a-jitter.  I'm too easily made anxious.  Something's coming up that I'm looking forward to but I will either have to cut my time short w/ it or find a sub for a much-loved responsibility.  I'm favoring cutting the new thing short.  I'm also hoping on Monday to find out if there's an alternate date.  Meanwhile I feel anxious.  Part of me wants to say "so silly."  But I'm not silly!  This is my life!  God made me with an anxious nervous-system.  Who am I to say God's work is "silly?"  (Smiling.)  So I let my mind weave itself around two tracks: one calming and orderly, the other expressive of my restlessness.  It's good.  It helps me breathe.  Lord, can You use my restlessness?  Can You use my familiarity w/ anxiety?  Surely Lord, You create only that which can glorify You!  Use me, Lord.  You are my whole raison d'etre.  I love You Abba-Papa-Lord-Jesus-Christ-Holy-Spirit-Lover-of-my-soul-Eternal-One-Only-One-Beloved-Life-Life-LIFE-!!!!  Praise be Your Holy Name! :)

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

In time of grieving

'Listening to Sara Groves on Grooveshark.com  ... a little boy from our local community died this past weekend.  I don't know the family well, but I know many people who know them.  Some of my piano students are best friends with James and his siblings.  The whole community is grieving.  I'm listening to Sara Groves because I find her authentic expressions of faith (and questioning) very consoling in times of suffering.  Lord, please hold and console James' family and friends while they grieve.  May they eventually feel the peace and joy of knowing James' Joy in You, and meanwhile, may they feel the life-sustaining support of their friends.  Bless them, Lord.  Bless the whole community with Your Gracious Spirit.