For the Love of Music

Today I looked down at the CDs in my car:

1. Ultimate Dance Party 1997

2. Johnny Cash

3. Old Two Rivers Baptist Church Sunday morning mix

4. DMB Live in Chicago and at Luther College

5. Harry Connick, Jr, Songs I Heard

6. Dan Oxley

My current play list, lol. Of course there are more choices on my iPhone (because seriously, what can smart phones NOT do besides be human? It's pretty scary...yet helpful) and I'm as apt to be singing with latest pop song on the radio (words that I make up in my head most the time ;) as I am to be belting out hymns at the top of my lungs a capella. Yes, I am the one dancing in my car - go ahead and laugh at me - I laugh at me too!

You'd be hard pressed to find someone to disagree with the fact that music is inspiring, but don't just take my word for it:

Johann Sebastian Bach noted that “the final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit.”

Martin Luther said, “my heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.”

Johnny Depp agreed with Hans Christian Anderson's "where words fail, music speaks," by admitting that "music touches us emotionally, where words alone can't."

It's internationally inspiring. I cannot tell you how moved I have been worshiping our amazing LORD with believers in other nations, or even merely having dance parties with songs and people from all cultures. Longfellow was right - "music is the universal language of mankind!"

Be it melancholy or sprightly, "music...will  help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you." This from Dietrich Bonhoeffer!

Oh how I could go on and on! Some days sad songs are wonderful to identify with, or songs of truth to combat discouragement. Today music has done a good job of inspiring me to praise the name of the LORD, to give glory where glory is due - Hebrews 13:15 and all of Psalm 96! Thanking God for the gift of music today. :)

Sing to the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day!  Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness, tremble before Him, all the earth!" 

So when you get in your car, go ahead and sing and dance it out like nobody's watching. Maybe somebody is and they just need a laugh. ;)

Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.
Martin Luther
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_music.html#Imjqyl5ZZuAx509d.99

Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.
Martin Luther
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_music.html#Imjqyl5ZZuAx509d.9

Good News

I keep in touch with a few people from this summer in Jordan. One of my patient/friends I asked y'all to pray for as she was so sad to be away from family has given me great news - her TB is better and she gets to go home in couple weeks!  Praising the LORD for this healing! :D

Myths Debunked

It has come to my attention that there are many incorrect beliefs floating out there. For the good of humanity, these need discrediting.

[Note: my editorial staff removed several statements deemed "too much" for the general public. For you non-medical people, be very thankful for said staff ;)]

                      

Myth #1: Miley Cyrus knows Molly. Heck no. She thinks she's "that cool," but has no idea. She should follow an ER nurse around for a day. Molly purports to be pure ecstasy (MDMA), but CNN reports that only 13% actually contains any ecstasy. That which does is often mixed with other drugs. So basically take a Molly if you want to play Russian roulette with your life. Seriously - people on Molly have had the most bizarre reactions I've seen since bath salts came out.

Myth #2: All Middle Easterners want to kill Americans. Good heavens, no! I have several friends in and from that area and Middle Eastern countries are quite known for their hospitality.

Myth #3: Putting things "in there" cures constipation. I was shocked to discover how widespread this one is. In short, it doesn't. Simple stool softener or laxative, folks; enema if you're desperate. Please don't stick objects up there to get something out.

Myth #4: Only other countries have crazy rules and regulations. I was hesitant to get my emissions checked today since last year I failed three times - even with a car in great condition (turned out to be some catalytic converter computer code thing). Today I failed again! I have "too clean" of an engine cycle. What?! Weirdest fail ever! "Just drive it around for a couple days then come back" was the subsequent advice.  At this point there is nothing to do but laugh.

Myth #5: If you swallow gum it will stay in your stomach for seven years. Sometimes the digestive system doesn't have the easiest time with gum, but no, it does not stay there for even one year. A couple days and it normally exits just fine.

Myth #6: The flu shot is useless. The flu shot is effective in preventing many strains of the flu and lessens the symptoms of others. The flu is deadly this year, y'all! Remember this when immunization time rolls around again this fall. [The editorial staff states that I may have been corrupted by the government and vaccine makers, but until medical evidence convinces me otherwise, I'm sticking to this one]

Myth #7: Aliens with teleportation devices may exist. Oh wait. This one's not a myth. If you're out there and can hear me, I believe...and want one of those devices...