Adventure of a Lifetime

Here we are in a new year.  I am trying to establish a good routine for the year.  This is a time for setting goals, projecting what the year will be like.  I really want to grow in my abilities this year.  I want my ministry to expand.  I want to see fruit from seeds planted.  I want it to be a smooth year.  Just slide along with no bumps or turns.  I want it to be a good year. 

Now, what does God plan for this year?  I suspect from His vantage point He will not lay it out like I would.  He will put before me those things that will make me grow.  He will expand my ministry in ways I have not yet envisioned.  I also know there will be bumps and turns.  Yes, I will encounter some difficult things.  In fact, I already have. 

It is easy to make new year’s plans.  Then when those plans are thwarted to just give up because it does not fit the original image.  That is tempting because readjusting takes a lot of effort.  Maybe not making plans is best.  Just go with the flow.

As I reflect on this, I conclude that I should make plans.  I should work those plans.  I should be willing to revise plans, even daily.  Really, I should be ready to hang on for the adventure of a lifetime, every day.  As God maps out the way, count on being surprised with regularity.  And then know if it is in God’s hands it will be a good year!

 

Music Extravaganza!

I am a music lover.  I am not skilled in producing music, but I love to be surrounded by music.  I think my favorite genre is jazz, and I am really excited about the music of Nat King Cole.  I am, however, really explosive about live concerts.  I do not get to go often enough to my thinking.  A few weeks ago I went to a Hakase Taro concert in our town with my family.  We live in a smaller town, and just the fact he came to perform here was amazing.  Hakase Taro is a world class violinist and composer.  Maybe even more amazing is that we got to go to the concert. 

Dad got tickets months beforehand.  We looked forward to this a long time.  One always worries with so much anticipation if there will be a let down at the actual event.  This concert began about the time I wind down for the night.  Maybe I would sleep through it all.  That would be a waste.  This was a senseless worry.  Mr. Taro is a master showman.  He surrounded himself with other first class musicians in a band that played with him.  Each of them probably could have performed a magnificent concert on their own.  This concert had humor, class, dance, lights, as well as wonderful music. As the concert closed, the audience was on its feet dancing along.  Music and lights were exploding about the auditorium.  The band did a fantastic dance.  Then some picked up their instruments and danced while playing them.  This was especially spectacular as the cellist played and danced with his cello.  We did not want it to end.  They played two encores.  I wished it had been more.  The final song was a gentle song written by Hakase Taro for those affected by the disaster.  I especially liked his verbal reminder that there is still much to be done in restoring that area to health.  His song, “A Smile for You” touched my heart.  

I got home far past bedtime, but sleep was elusive as the strains of music and sights of that concert played in my mind.  What a fantastic extravaganza I had beheld.  It still evokes a vivid memory. 

Hey, Dad, when is the next concert? 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCnGx-GuJM4

(Take listen!)