Many Motives of Music: Part 1

   "Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul." - Plato

   This quote by Greek philosopher Plato is one of my favorite expressions of musical appreciation. For every mood you are in, you probably have a song or type of song that you like to hear. Some times you feel down and do not want to listen to music at all. You might not have given it a second thought, but why and how do we associate feelings with music? I am seeking to find out.

   Relax your mind and think of your favorite party tune, the one that you just have to move to. It lifts your spirits so high that you feel the need to dance, but your reaction to a sad love song is probably less festive. Music certainly has an inexplicable power to boost our emotions. Movies and television shows use this principle to increase the viewers' interactive interest by creating sound effects. Have you ever seen a movie that did not have fast, shrill music playing when there is tension, or upbeat scores when there is a victory? The background music helps you to identify with the characters; it is a connector.

   Whether you like country rock or neo-soul, your musical preference is connected with your soul and character. A wildly animated person is likely to often listen to hip hop or pop, and a reserved person is probably inclined towards jazz and R&B. When a songwriter is writing lyrics, he or she focuses on how to express the right emotions so that the listener may understand and empathize. An interesting fact here is that although people may not like certain music genres, no one hates music as a whole. I am still searching for the answer to the "why" but I see that the reason for music points to divinity. Only God can do and say things that the human mind cannot understand. In my next post, I will address the biblical aspect of music.

The Infamous Love

   Too often, I have interacted with people who tell me they are "falling in love." At one point, I was a clumsy fool for love myself, yearning for affection and holding on to false hopes of commitment. However, the wiser I become, I realize that the feeling of "falling in love" is a vicious myth. I use the term "vicious" because the myth has led and continues to lead so many beings to destruction. Yes, they have fallen, but it is into a trap rather than a joyous feeling.
   Since early human civilization, people have been most vulnerable to eros, or "intimate love" (aka lust). With raging hormones, youth worldwide have fallen prey to lust and in result- fornication. Even middle-aged people continue to take part in promiscuity and other sexual sins because they have a warped vision of love. Pagan views have unfortunately shaped minds of non-Christians and Christians to believe that fornication is hardly unavoidable. The world declares that love is an accident, but how can it be? If one loves another who does not reciprocate the feeling, then that theory falls apart. It takes two to 'fall in love", right? There has to be a deeper component than simple happenstance or burning desire.
   Love, as described in the Bible, is never founded upon a physical feeling or freak accident. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 is a well-known passage in the Bible and paints a vivid portrait of what love truly looks like. To sum it up: love is patient, kind, truthful, does not envy, suffers all, gives all, and forgives all. Apparently, in order to love, we must choose to do so. None of the aforementioned characteristics can be stumbled upon; one must put forth persistent effort. (God never said love was easy!) If these things do not describe your relationship with that hot girl/guy you met months ago, then you do NOT have love- you have a problem. Do not be fooled by your deceitful heart (Jer 17:9), but let God give you direction. There is no need to fall and get hurt when you want to walk upright. God knows your needs and will certainly supply all the love you need, spiritually and physically. He is your first REAL love and is enraptured by you, so let Him be there for you!

   

"Brand New Eyes" by Russell Robinson

My friend wrote a poem and shared it with me. I was impressed, so here I share it with you.


"After moments of reflection, I often ratify or even contradict my own statement or belief. 
It often confuses the mind of my overseers and spectators because of the radical change in thought. 
But man if they were to pry a little deeper, into themselves and attempt to view it from a change authorized by Jesus, maybe just maybe then their minds could comprehend to that type of offset encryption. 
In the past I could look at situations and see them as wrong or inhumanely justified due to uncertainty and disbelief, but now that I stand on turf mended by God’s hands themselves, I can see the fruit bore from it. The view has a major difference in appearance when it is gazed upon at through the lenses of Jesus Christ. Those specs multiply your vision in millions of different view points that not only justify reasoning but also lead to a common destination. 
That destination is known to be a better relationship with Jesus and our Heavenly Father and then ultimately in Heaven. 
Here I now tend to stand proudly and preach what I practice which is 'Open your eyes not to see through them with your own perspective, but from that of Jesus.'" 

How to Brag

   In everything you do, there is hope for accomplishment. Ofttimes you want others to notice (family, friends, strangers, God), not necessarily in that order. However, it seems that most people see it in that procession. You always want your parents, present or not, to be proud of you and your achievements. Then, because your family is happy, your friends should be too, right? Next, a crowd of strangers may be at your college graduation or job promotion party cheering for your reception of an accolade. That is the point where your confidence rises to its peak and you know (or feel) that God is pleased. When asked to give a speech, who do you thank first?
   If your gratitude only extends to yourself because you see yourself doing great things, then you are greatly mistaken. Your creator has foreordained your earthly doings (Num 24:23) and He deserves the full glory (Psa 57:11). Of course you have dreams, but of yourself  you have no solid affirmation that your dreams will be fulfilled. It is obvious when we make plans every day that do not go as we intended. The common phrase "give credit where credit is due" is hypocritical if we only look at ourselves. We should look at who really drives our actions and gets us to our points of happiness.
   Conclusively, never forget where you came from (cliche!). I am not speaking of a place but of the creator God! Your mother birthed you, and it was God who formed you in her womb (Jer 1:5). He is as proud of His creation as any designer is proud of his clothing line, given that his label is represented proudly. This means that we must accredit our designer "look" to the one who made us look fabulous. Be a model for Jesus Christ and God- wear the Christian label well!

This Is What I Do...

   Greetings! Many have heard of but have not seen the physical fruits of my labor (at least, not on this blog), so I thought I should put a few pictures up. My craft is centered around things I make with love, care, and eco-friendliness. I love to meet new people with similar gifts and would love to trade ideas, tips, and anything else!

   You may "like" my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Miss-Ladylike-Etsy-Shop/132604826814456, follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/tiffyyy_le, view my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleMissLadyLike?ref=si_shop, or just comment below.

*The products shown are not currently on my site. If you would like to buy or simply inquire- don't hesitate to ask!

The American Greed

I found this video via a friend, and it is truly eye-opening and mind-boggling! I do believe college isn't the answer for everyone. People should really consider their investments carefully. Watch the video, take notes, etc. and let's talk about it!

Education Institution: Edifying or Not?

   College is one of the largest institutions available. I am 19, graduated high school with honors, received many scholarships, but I decided not to go directly to college after graduation. Why? I simply was not ready for such an environment. Over the summer (before my fall semester of college would have started), I went through a spiritual change following my mentor showing me how much I really didn't know about being a true Christian. I didn't know a prophet from a priest! Certainly, I was not prepared to be "salt of the earth" (Matt 5:13) when I had no idea what that even meant. Christians must always keep God's will at the forefront of their actions; stop and ponder Is this God's plan or my plan that I want Him to agree with? That being said, you might find that it is not important for your child to attend a university or other. Higher education is indeed helpful and has its validity; however, it isn't for everyone. No one's life path is the same.
   Teenagers in high school hear the question "What college are you going to?" so often that going to college seems like more of an assumed plan than a mere option. As the years go by, kids (especially those in public schools) are pressured to make plans for their future. I can recall as early as elementary school a teacher asking a five-year-old me what I wanted to be when I "grow up" and my answer was simply "a model." Though I have always had an affinity for fashion, there was no way I would ever become a model. I am not tall enough, not quite thin enough, and surely not willing to get nude in front of strangers. God did not call me to that job. So why does God have the final say? Well, being a Christian, I believe that God is my Lord and Savior, which means that He has complete authority over my life (yes, even the decisions I make) and He always will. It is a hard pill to swallow, but it is absolute truth, so I completely stand by that truth. I know that I am in the right place at the moment because God revealed it to me in His word and confirmed it.
   Institutions have a long history of influence on modern culture. People around the world have gone to college, are attending college, or plan to attend college; whether it is a two-year or eight-year program- everyone wants to go to school. Feeding into the hungry minds of young people, institutions continue to create more degree programs that may attract greater crowds. There is something mesmerizing and triumphant about having degrees and accolades to put on one's resume'. It seems that the motives for higher education are selfish. Everyone wants to be recognized, even though a large number of students are not even sure why they attended or how their degree correlates with their natural talents.
   Where is God in the midst of public education? There is a particular quote by Martin Luther that I love:

"I am much afraid that schools will prove to be great gates of hell,
unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures,
engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place
his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every
institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with
...the Word of God must become corrupt."

This passage should be made known to every Christian who truly wishes their children the best. It is not ambiguous that schools have a history of corruption; Martin Luther lived centuries ago, yet he observed the same situation in educational institutions that I see right now! Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes 1:9 "There is nothing new under the sun..." is surely evident here. If you are a Christian, you should know that you are responsible for teaching your children the Scriptures consistently (see Deuteronomy 6: 6-9). Having attended many public schools and graduated from one, I can confirm that there is no such instruction in God's word. As a child develops into an adult and continues in a public school education, their morals are deeply rooted in what the world says. Christians should not be subject to such degeneration.
   My conclusion is "home is where the heart is." A child's heart (beliefs, emotions, and characterisics) should not be molded by society. The world is full of wolves waiting to prey on an innocent babe, and a sincere parent would not wish death on their child, but that is exactly what is being done by sending them out to be taught by strangers. Spiritual death is the end result of a child with no God-given direction. Corruption in educational institutions is exponentially rising. You may need the job training, or you may not benefit from it by risking your morality. All that being said, I pray that you will consider your role in your children's lives, if you are a parent, or where your goals of knowledge should be aimed, if you are a student.

God bless and I wish you the best!