Music unlocks Alzheimers
Working with Alzheimer’s patients on a daily basis I constantly see the effects music has on those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. A couple of my favorite stories include: 1. The lady that had terrible…
Behind the Christmas Song: O Come O Come Emmanuel
The words and music of “O Come O Come Emmanuel” developed separately. The original text, which was in Latin, was first documented in 1710 in Germany. The tune has it’s origins in 15th Century France.…
Book Review: The Twelve Days of Christmas
Once again Debbie Macomber has a hit on her hands with her Christmas book, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Julie Padden tries to get along with everyone, but her neighbor Cain Maddox presents a particular…
His Kind of Love: Love Means Discipline
I’ve shared openly about my struggle to lose weight. One of the biggest lessons I have learned in my journey is to develop a discipline in my eating patterns. Is this easy? Absolutely not! I…
God’s Provisions
About two weeks ago, I was on a business trip when my car began to smoke. I pulled over on the side of the interstate while other vehicles whizzed past. While sitting there waiting for…
Joseph, the Righteous
Last week, we were introduced to Joseph, the husband of Mary. We know that Joseph was betrothed to Mary when the spirit came upon her and she was with child. Matthew 1:18-25 tells us the…
Music Reduces Stress
Did you know that listening to music reduces stress? Music is one of the best stress reducers that exists. So, how does music reduce stress? Lowers heart rate Lowers blood pressure Calms nerves Helps to…
Behind the Christmas Song: What Child Is This?
What Child is This? was written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865 in England. Dix worked as a manager for an insurance company before being afflicted with a severe illness that left him bedridden and…
Book Review: A Baxter Family Christmas
If you love Karen Kingsbury or the Baxter Family you will love A Baxter Family Christmas. Patriarch John Baxter has only one wish for this Christmas season. For the entire family to spend Christmas Eve…
His Kind of Love: Debt of Love
Working with senior adults I often witness couples that have been married 50+, 60+, 70+ years caring for one another. Often one spouse is in better health than the other spouse. To watch these spouses…
When Things Don’t Go As Planned
My team and I worked on a presentation around the clock for weeks. We were all excited to arrive and carry out our plan. However, nothing about that day went as planned from the moment…
Who is Joseph, the earthly Father of Jesus?
Last Christmas, we studied Mary, the Mother of Jesus. So in the spirit of Christmas, it only seemed natural to take a look at Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. For the next eight weeks…
Music acts like a magic key
Maria Augusta von Trapp said “Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” The Sound of Music is based on the life of Maria von Trapp. She and her…
Behind the Christmas Carol: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was a Christmas poem written by Edmund Sears. This is a Christmas Carol that doesn’t focus on the holy family, but the song of the angels. Luke 2:14 says…
What Are You Thankful For?
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States and it has me thinking about the things we are thankful for. Earlier this year, I read somewhere about being thankful for the little things. {I…
To learn music is to learn a new language
As a music teacher, part of my job is to teach my piano and voice students to read music. Reading music is equivalent to reading a new language. Look at a sheet of music and…
Behind the Hymn: Count Your Blessings
When searching for a Thanksgiving hymn, I was surprised we have not discussed this hymn yet. Count Your Blessings is a hymn written in 1897 by Johnson Oatman, Jr. Oatman was born on April…