Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Lord is my Strength!

I need strength! I am nothing without the strength of the LORD! His strength is what keeps me together, it holds my little broken world better than any glue man has made! I felt the need to share these verses with you, for my sake if no one else's.

Exodus 15: 2 The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation...

Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength.

2 Samuel 22:33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my ways perfect.

Nehemiah 8:10 ... Do not greave, for the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Psalms 28:7-8 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength of his people a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength and ever-present help in trouble.

Psalms 118:14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; the will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

1 Corinthians 1: 25 For the foolishness of god is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

As I think on these top scriptures I find that strength is only given through God. No matter how hard we try to strengthen ourselves, we will always remain weak to God’s strength. I also find it interesting that strength is not one of the fruits of the spirit; Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and self-Control. But oddly enough not one of us can give in to these traits with out strength. We need God’s strength to help us acquire these fruit. I find that I am at my weakest spiritually when I have messed up in one of the fruits of the spirit. For example; when do not act lovingly then I know my strength is weak, or when I loose my patience easily, I am in need of God’s strength. There is no human way to exude all the fruits of the Spirit and Godly character with out God’s strength! I charge everyone to pray God’s strength in to your lives!

Psalms 119:28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will Strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

We are created for beauty!

As I sit in the recital hall of a major university and listen to all the amazing talent of children playing their violins, violas and cellos, I sit in amazement of our Heavenly Father. He had created everyone with the ability to make and share beauty with the world. It is so incredible to see how music can touch the heart of the youngest child to the oldest man. We are designed like our beautiful God and so we ALL posses the adoration of beauty like God.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Violin Camp

So today all of the campers came for institute! The campus is hopping tonight! Honestly, my best and worst memories were made at Suzuki Institute and I wouldn’t trade any of them! I have made life long friendships, life long mentors, and i have learned more lessons about who I am opposed to how well I play! No matter where I am I know I have a connection with everyone here. Music makes a person connect unlike anything else! Suzuki is unlike any other music curriculum I have seen. They call it an “approach to learning” so there is always room for self expression or experimental elements. What I love about Suzuki is that the parents involvement is so crucial to how well a student improves. So a lot of the teaching is taught to the parent who in turn helps the child to understand. The parents are a key role in their children’s musical education. Dr. Suzuki thought of learning music like a language. It is easer and faster to learn a language if a person is immersed through a constant environment. So the thinking is to immerse the student in music to help the learning process.

“The destiny of a child is in his parents hands”- Dr. Suzuki

To me I love that my mom was so involved and I think it is just what parents need to give their children the one on one attention they want. Suzuki is a great music curriculum!!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Brain Storming New Ideas

With the rise of behavioral disorders in children and the amount of problems within the educational world, it has come to my attention that as a future educator I will deal with these issues. So many children are way to highly medicated and under disciplined. I was at our church camp and noticed that over half of our campers in the grades of 4 and 5 were on at least two daily medications. And most of the medications were to treat a behavioral issue, such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, etc.. Now I do realize that for many kids these types of medical issues are very real and require some form of treatment. I myself am on ADHD medication to help me finish college. So I totally understand this treatment as a valid solution. But, is there anything more we can do? Are there other options beyond the traditional world of medicine? Is there a way to give a child an outlet for bad behavior or good behavior? I have been a Sizuki Violin student and teacher. I believe that there is so many benefits to children learning an instrument! I believe learning to play an instrument can help with all sorts of behavioral issues! I also believe that learning an instrument can help with learning disabilities! So I am wondering if anyone has some questions, comments, or input about me blogging about music incorporated in ADHD therapy and treatment? I feel like this could be a new stomping ground for some to understand. So if anyone is interested in reading about this topic please let me know! I am interested in seeing any kind of response! Or if anyone doesn’t like the idea let me know that as well! I am trying to understand and research all this out too. Thanks for your input!