I have had a bad cold and cough for over a week, which has made me frustrated most of the time, and irritable some of the time.  Not fun.  Whatever life brings, gratitude is key. There are always things to be thankful for.  So, when I cough today it will remind me to think of a blessing I can count.

Have you experienced any incredible moments of beauty, adventure or intimacy recently? C.S. Lewis says these are glimpses of heaven, giving us a peak behind the curtain of the breathtaking scenery, activity and fellowship that awaits “back stage” in heaven. The depth of God’s grace and forgiveness is hard to fathom, but if we take time to reflect on life’s moments of beauty, adventure and intimacy, this will nudge us toward embracing the wonder and mystery of God’s ways, which are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).

“Move with an urgency that creates a movement. Engage in an adventure so compelling that it causes the awakening of others. In this moment, each of us will have to choose. Will you seize your divine moment or let it slip away? Will you choose to go to the left, or will you go to the right? When we play it safe, we squeeze God out of the formula.  If we go only where we know and do what we’re certain will succeed, we remove our need for God.  Whenever we take on a God-sized challenge, self-sufficiency is no longer an option.”             – Erwin McManus (Author, Seizing Your Divine Moment and Chasing Daylight)

Is there a “road less traveled” you have been inspired to investigate?  Or, perhaps you are already traveling down the road, and finding that sometimes it is like a sanctuary and at others it is like a desert? Having a perspective of “little by little” helps in making progress toward your dream. In the words of G.K. Chesterton, “The supreme adventure is being born. When we step into the world, it is like stepping into a splendid and startling trap. It is something we do not expect. When we step into a family we step into a fairytale. It is romantic, fantastic, colorful and sometimes unbelievable. Like a fairytale, it is a story. If there is a story, there is a storyteller. Each day is a new chapter.”

I had some composing time this morning to work on music for a new album. An idea that had been circling in my head was to create a unique arrangement based on the melody known as the Doxology.  It’s the one that goes “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below.  Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”  I knew the music was old, but I didn’t remember that it originated 460 years ago in 1551.  Wow.  It was amazing to think of what has happened in music since 1551, such as the invention of the piano by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Italy around 1700. I think I’m going to call the new arrangement “Blessings Flow.”

I could have titled this post Bach, Brahms and Beethoven, because they are getting my creative attention as concepts develop toward a new album coming in May. Whatever musical genres you love, music itself seems to be essential for the soul. I found it interesting that some of the most beautiful music by the greatest composers were inspired by life’s simple things, like air, sleep and moonlight. Today, I’m going to remember the importance of simplicity.

I am anticipating an exciting February and March creatively, one day at a time. Some unique arrangements are in formation of some of the most wonderful classical and hymn melodies. All of this is in preparation for April, when I will be working with Grammy winning producer Will Ackerman on our 4th album together. Whatever I am looking ahead to in the future, I have to remember to live in the moment, to make the most of each day, to be thankful. Making music (i.e. serving others in love) is a life theme that applies to all areas, not just the literal sense of creating melodies on the piano.

This past week started with an amazing “An Evening of Peace” concert at Quest Church in Augusta, GA, followed by a visit to the Joseph Still Burn Center there where Music to Light the World donated 75 “Get Music Give Hope” CDs to touch patients and their families. There were other good things . . . family memories/activities, our first Music to Light the World board meeting of the New Year, and some exercise. There were frustrations . . . like a broken microwave oven and computer problems that haven’t been fixed yet. In looking back on this “week of peace,” the “peace that passes all understanding” is a gift that can only be realized on the inside, and that can be realized in spite of circumstances.

In the past 24 hours a beautiful new melody surfaced at the piano.  So, early this morning I was playing it over and over to get it into my memory.  Then, even though I am fighting a cold, I fit in a short aerobic and strength workout.  Following this, I got my hands dirty replacing a car battery, and now am working to book some concerts for 2011.  I have been growing in embracing the “zigs and zags” of life instead of being frustrated by them. So, I surrender the rest of this day.  A day that started out with new music and a car battery!

Taken from liner notes for “Freedom” from “The Voice” CD . . . For many years I thought I could achieve freedom through success and being in control. Then I discovered that the human spirit finds true freedom through serving others in love. Seeking to grow in a freedom that is centered on others has been an adventure filled with emotion and risk. The notes to this piece represent running through life with a heart that is free, pausing to treasure this freedom, and discovering higher levels of giving oneself away. My hope is that the music helps you experience a freedom that gives hope, makes you come alive, sets your heart free. “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Ps. 119:32