Sunday, July 20, 2014

Living Habits

Yesterday’s Upper Room Devotional read:
Eternal One, revealed in waves and in the waiting stillness, teach me to rest, content in your love. Let my life be a poem that tells of your care, always ready to rise up on trusting wings and risk the wind. Amen.
- Elizabeth J. Canham
Heart Whispers: Benedictine Wisdom for Today

Yes… yes… that’s it! I want my life to be a poem that speaks of and to Christ. I want to see Christ in everything about and around me. During the times when I do not reflect Christ, may I be drawn back to that beginning and hear the refrain of a simple iambic pentameter coursing through my veins. God my Father, God my Mother – may the echo I hear be the words you speak to my spirit.
…and still You speak!
I was awakened early the other day. In the pre-dawn moments, I was nearly overcome by the melancholy song of the Mourning Dove. Its plaintive melody pierced my soul. God, God... give me the words to express my gratitude. My devotional read: "faith, hope, and charity [love] have no sadness in them" and yet the sorrowful cry of the Mourning Dove...
…and still You speak!
Here are five daily habits (in no particular order and certainly not all of them!) that I try to complete. They contribute to my general well-being, happiness and gratitude.

1. Pray with purpose.
Keep a written list of people and needs to pray throughout the day to keep my mind focused on God’s presence in all circumstances. Here is a prayer app you can use to keep track of prayer requests on your phone or iPad! 
2. Count blessings.
Whenever my head and heart start to wander towards discouragement, I jot down a few blessings. It helps!

3. Make the bed every morning.
This might seem silly, but for me making the bed is one act that starts a chain of other daily habits and feelings of happiness and gratitude for my home. It’s a little thing that is actually a big thing.

4. Take a moment to organize the bathroom.
Make sure the towels are all neatly hanging up and the counter is wiped off. 
5. Practice intentional acts of kindness.
Everyone needs encouragement and we all need community. Even if we are busy, or naturally homebodies or introverts, it doesn't take much effort to reach out, build a little more community and make someone’s day a little brighter. Besides the occasional coffee date to chat face to face, I've been working on remembering to send out quick notes friends to let them know I’m praying for them and taking the time to leave encouraging comments or compliments for friends or acquaintances on a social media sites. That small effort makes my day happier, too.
What are some of your daily habits that change the course of your day for the better?

Wishing you everyday grace,
Tamara
Luke 17:10 (NLT)
10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”


Monday, July 14, 2014

Brief Update...

As I understand it, St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Tucson Arizona is the only church in the world with a children's Harp Choir. Some of the girls are as young as six! Enjoy this all too brief video.

The song they are playing is an original and was "world premiered" for our new pastor. It was entitled Grace. The Harp Choir members are encouraged to be creative and write their own music.

Here is a bit about Dr. Carrol McLaughlin of the University of Arizona, who established our Children's Harp Choir:

CARROL MCLAUGHLIN
  • Professor, Music
Dr. McLaughlin has toured extensively as a soloist throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The Canadian-born harpist holds the degrees of M.M. from the Juilliard School and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Arizona, where she was Teaching Assistant to Susann McDonald. She also studied extensively in England with Russian harpist Maria Korchinska. Dr. McLaughlin became the head of the harp department at the University of Arizona in 1982, and in 1994 was the recipient of the UA Five Star Faculty Teaching Award for Excellence. She has performed highly successful debut recitals in Carnegie Hall, New York, and Wigmore Hall, London, and has performed extensively as concerto soloist with orchestras throughout the US, Japan, Russia, Canada and South America. Carrol is on the Board of Directors of the World Harp Congress and recently was awarded a Fulbright Senior Specialist Award which allowed her to teach at the Cairo Conservatory for a month and give recitals in the Cairo Opera House and the Library at Alexandria. Her new book, Power Performance has received international acclaim, as it helps performers to overcome stage fright and perform without stress. She is the Director of Harp Fusion, the U. of A. harp ensemble who have performed in Japan, Russia, Switzerland ,Puerto Rico, Korea, China, Brazil, Mexico and the Czech Republic.
Click on this link: Children's Harp Choir