Music is healing to the soul

Today wasn't a bad day, but by the end of the evening I was feeling a little down. I guess I let it hit me that two of my good friends at work had their last day today - moving on to other things. And another good friend from work just got another job today and will be moving on. Things are changing. They're moving on to other things and I guess, in a way, although I had decided recently that I need to stay where I'm at for the time being, I feel like I want to be moving on to more exciting and new things. And I'll miss them. Work just won't be the same without them. And that's sad. I also got to thinking about some of my friends and I wonder how they're doing. It's been a while since we connected.

Just before I started blogging today, I was listening to some music by one of my current favourite artists - Jon Schmidt - as well as some other piano based music. I really paid attention to my feelings as I was listening. Music has a way of healing. But also of making me cry. I'm not sure those tears were tears of sadness, although I did notice I started processing how I was feeling and was able to write it down (see above). I'll post them below within this entry. If you get a chance, have a listen. Notice how you feel - what your emotions do - when listening to the songs. The song 'Bring Him Home' is so haunting. This is the song where I noticed I was tearing up. The Charlie Brown song literally made me laugh and feel so much joy. I listened to a few others and just let the music wash over me. It's neat when I take time to pay attention to what music does to me - how it can be so spiritually connecting.

Experience the joy I experienced while watching this video!

More from Jon Schmidt - 'Michael Meets Mozart'

I love this guy's music. Here's his new video,Michael Meets Mozart . Enjoy!



And another video by the same guy. This one's called Waterfall. I"d love to play like this!

How Great Thou Art

What a beautiful rendition of one of my favourite hymns! What a powerful and amazing voice!

Still Alive - this song makes me happy

I'm really enjoying this song. It makes me happy. Not that the lyrics are actually happy. It's a bit of a random type of song. But hey, "I'm Still Alive". I should learn how to play and / or sing this song. I have sung it with Rock Band and it was a lot of fun. :) You may want to click the icon that enlarges the view. That way you can read the lyrics. Otherwise you'll basically be just listening to the song.

3BT post ... and a link to an awesome video

It's time for another 3BT's post (3 Beautiful Things).

1. The orange glow of streetlights on freshly falling snow.
2. The fact I got all my Christmas shopping done without entering Walmart! :) I got it done all in one afternoon. And enjoyed myself for the most part. I am thankful for the option of online purchasing, though. Less tiring and the mix of going to stores (in real life) and browsing through stores online makes shopping more enjoyable.
3. Sex in a Pan. The dessert, that is. :D
4. Powerful music ... such as the link below. Particularly fusions of classic and something else (rock, metal, alternative, etc.).

I've posted this video before but it was taken down. I love this guy's music and this song, in particular, this song. The 2nd video is a different version of part of that song - I love the energy in this one too. You can see how much he's enjoying playing.

Love Story Meets Viva la Vida


Love Story Meets Love Story

Thoughts on Heaven - Sunday's Coming

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, and we'll see Jesus face-to-face (song, There Will Be A Day, Jeremy Camp).

This song quote almost sounds cliché, but there is truth and comfort in it. At least, if you believe you will see Jesus face-to-face. I think, too, that this quote sums up the comfort of the idea of heaven for most people. A better place. No more pain. No more crying. No more fears. And all will be well. In general, heaven is a concept I try not to think about. However, recently, it's been on my mind more. I've had conversations and read books and recently, people I know have passed away. And at times such as this, it lends to reflection. I guess, though, shouldn't we be thinking about heaven as being more than just this place with no more hard times? Isn't it more than that? And yet, that's one of the reasons why I look forward to heaven. Granted, I'd still say I don't want to go just yet.

A few weeks ago, I came back to a book I started a long time ago - 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. He was in a brutal accident, literally died on the scene, and had a heaven experience. After 90 minutes, he revived and came to. In the months (and maybe even still) that followed, he questioned many times why he couldn't stay in heaven instead of being in constant pain on earth. But there was more to it than that - the longing to be with Jesus. To be in that glory. Over time, he saw a purpose for him to continue to be on this earth. Over time, he saw his purpose in being on this earth, but it took a while. But he notes that while he was in heaven, he didn't think about those he left behind. To him, it was but a short good-bye. He'd see them again. The experience was glorious and the book goes into a fair amount of detail as to what he experienced. I've also heard of others who have had a similar experience. Although I believe they're thankful for the time they have with loved ones today, those are the people who I see long the most to be with Jesus in heaven.

The whole idea of heaven itself is a mystery to me. During a conversation with a friend recently, we talked about the idea that heaven really means being with Jesus. I guess, my response to that is, aren't we with him now? Isn't he ever-present with us? How is that any different than now? Or does that mean this is some sort of heaven. In doing more reading and thinking, I think in our lifetime on earth, we catch glimpses of something to come. A taste. Like experiencing peace in times of difficulty or pain, experiencing and knowing God's presence, experiencing beauty in people or in nature or in art, or noticing the little things in life when we are living in the moment. Feeling the wind on our face, noticing the details in how a bird hopes or an animal moves, or watching the trees move, or listening to the flow of water, or hearing other nature sounds. (Wow - that sentence is something similar to what I wrote in a different post - I guess it's obvious that this is one way that I connect with God). But I think the song "I Can Only Imagine" (Mercy Me) sums it up quite well - see below.

Like the people who have had 'heaven experiences', I hope that my desire to be with Christ eternally will become a longing. I do hope that I don't need to go through some horrific process or serious illness to get to that point. :) I don't want that longing to be only about the beauty that has been described in various biblical passages or that life will be blissful with no pain, etc., but about being in the very presence of God. And, yes, a part of me looks forward to the day when I won't have to worry that I will slip on the ice and fall and break something or have some other fall or injury that leads to broken bones. I look forward to being able to walk normally and to be able to jump or dance. When I think about this part, I long for that. The song, "I Can Only Imagine" has special meaning to me, both in the idea that I will be physically restored and that heaven is about worshiping God. When I listen to that song or watch the video, it brings tears to my eyes. I get this overwhelming sense of - I don't even know how to describe it. Maybe longing is the word. Maybe this is my glimpse of longing.



I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah, yeah, yeah

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine, yeah, yeah
I can only imagine, Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, Ohh yeah
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when all I will do
is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine



And another song that has been in my head recently related to heaven:

There Will Be A Day (by Jeremy Camp)


And for those who have lost someone recently or are experiencing a lot of hardship,

It's Friday ... But Sunday's Coming!

Classic Violin meets Rock

Check out this video. Amazing violin playing! And I like how it's mixed with rock instead of the typical only-classical music style mostly known with violin. Kind of like the Trans Siberian Orchestra, who, by the way, are coming to Calgary (and Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Vancouver, for you folks there) in November!

Classical Violin Rock @ Yahoo! Video

Love Story meets Viva La Vida

I love this video. Wish I could play like this guy. Also, check out the website for his music. His piano playing is amazing. Jon Schmidt.