Five vocal tips

I was sent this article, and I thought it was a good one, so I'm going to share it with you.  These are five quick tips that can help improve your vocals right away, written by an expert vocal coach.  I hope they are a help to you.  I know I will be practicing them more!

Five Vocal Tips article

Entitlement...or Empowerment?

I heard a discussion today on the radio program, "Discover the Word" about entitlement, and how instead of thinking "I deserve", think, "I am responsible to..." Instead of I deserve a living, I am responsible to work hard and get an education so I can do the work I love. Instead of I deserve to be happy, I am responsible to do the things that will accomplish my goals so that I feel happy. The burden doesn't lie on others; that is disempowering. What is empowering is to realize that you are responsible for the things that pertain to yourself, and you can make a difference. Yes, with God's help and God's grace, but seek Him and His will and then DO it...don't wait for things to happen to you, because that is no one's responsibility except your own.

Is Fear Bad?

Why do we oppose fear? Fear is not necessarily a bad thing. Fear of falling will keep us safe on a ladder. Fear of dangerous animals will keep our hands free from their mouths and claws. Fear of sin will keep us appropriate around one another. Fear of rejection will cause us to use discretion in our speech. Fear of punishment will help us make wise choices to behave well. Fear of God will cause us to obey His Word and live an abundant life. So why does the Bible say in 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"? And then it says in Ecclesiastes 12:13: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Should we fear or not fear? A healthy fear keeps us from harm's way. An unhealthy fear keeps us from doing what's right, such as in fearing what man can do unto us. Another example of an unhealthy fear is a phobia that keeps one from functioning normally throughout the day. Fear the right things and let that motivate you to do the hard things and live well.

My initial thought was about people accusing Christians of being "homophobic." We have consciences for a reason. Whether it's adultery, fornication, dangerous acts, risky behaviors, addictions with marijuana and other drugs - fear of consequences and slippery slopes are God-given for SELF PRESERVATION. That is extremely important, and when we deny ourselves of these safety checks, we become fools.

Spread That Light!

We are in a spiritual warfare. As we come up against it with light, the darkness will be threatened and will seek to overcome us. But silly darkness! Darkness cannot overcome light by being more present, but can only try to blow out the candles, unplug the electrical source, convince the light that it is not needed or shouldn't be wasted. No, we who carry the light of the Gospel, which let's face it - that is the hope of mankind - MUST spread it in order to keep the darkness away and show people their need for Christ, for salvation, for forgiveness, and for healing. Here are some encouraging words a friend sent me today, and I want to share with you as you spread the light.

Psalm 5:3,11,12: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield."

Here is another encouraging quote I saw today on a friend's email signature: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose."

Jim Elliot, 1949

Matthew 16:26: "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

I encourage you to do what you can, in your corner of the world, as we serve and labor together for the cause of Christ. What a blessing. Go spread that light!