Saturday, August 31, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Music, Music, Music
Yes, there is music in the air! Some folks use instruments, other use kindness, still others use prayer. Sometimes, if we pay attention and listen, we can hear the birds making music. I even hear my oxygen machine making music....literally. I am not sure it is doing it on purpose, but the way it "churns" out the air, sometimes I hear a melody. Now that could be just my ears playing tricks on me, I am not sure. I seem to hear music in all sorts of places, but that could be a research project for some psychiatrist. It would be a long time project, I AM sure! ha ha ha
None the less . . . today I am so excited about music making opportunities coming that I can hardly wait to see how it will all pan out. A brief background to explain. Pat and I joined Gibson Wells United Methodist Church a while back because it was a place where we felt welcomed, and much more, because we felt we belonged. There is the complete range of people. Babies on through the teenagers, young adults, middle adults and senior adults. The youth group is outstanding! Very active and wanting to actually DO things together with the rest of the church. We have active small children WANTING to learn how to be acolytes and to be taught how to do that all so important job for worshiping Jesus. This weekend we are going on our first (their normal) Annual all church Retreat at Lakeshore Methodist Assembly (Camp) on the shores of the Tennessee River. So that is where we are at with our wonderful, and fulfilling Church family.
I had offered to teach basic, beginner level, Guitar lessons for anyone who wanted to learn the instrument at church. I have TWELVE students from teenagers to seniors, that are eagerly learning what it takes to play the guitar. Of course I am getting what I expected: "My fingers are awful sore". I chuckle, because the first night of lessons, I told them that they were going through a time of toughening their finger tips and that it would be somewhat uncomfortable. OK, actually I said: "Your fingers will hurt until they get calluses, but it will be worth the pain". I did that right up front. I looked forward to see how that would work. Results: It worked well.....a little confirmation of the correctness of my words, but they are continuing to work through it! These folks are troopers! So tonight, I will be teaching them a song to put their last few weeks of learning chords together. Got any Rivers to Cross, is a simple pre-prayer song I have used in many worship services. It has four chords. It has a rhythm to it that is simple. That is what they need to learn now. How to play the chords so they sound good, with a rhythm that can be sung with. It is indeed easier to learn if you can see how everything fits together to make music. This will be that begining tool. I am so excited for my students as they progress through the stages of learning how to make music. Very soothing for the music maker. When they find out that they are accomplishing something that has value in the hearts of most people, it will make all the unpleasant sore fingers fade into the past. I think that making music feeds the basic inner self of most people. It stimulates pleasant calmness or moving excitement, depending on the song or musical piece being played. I am looking to guiding them forward into more chords, and how they are used in music to make more interesting songs. Since I am just an old folk singer from the sixties, I am not all that complicated in my music, but it has gotten me to this level, and since I enjoy it, and people appreciate it, why would I NOT share it?
Some day in the future, because of this, there may be a new praise group sharing music in Worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the Bible, Psalm 98:4-6 says: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. That is what makes all this worthwhile. Through the many years at First Henderson United Methodist Church, being a part of the Celebration Music Team, it has been so rewarding spiritually, to make music to worship our GOD. Through music, we learn a lot more and a lot faster, the blessings God has for us to enjoy this life and to prepare ourselves for life eternal with HIM. To me, if I can share this joy with others that see what is in it for them to share, it is all worth the time and effort to do so. Am I a trained musician? If by that do you mean: can I read music? the answer is NO. Do I know at a glance how a particular piece is played? the answer is NO. My secret is finding out the key it is written in, and sound it out. I find the chord make up, and then write the chords on the sheet of music, and learn by repetition. But first I have to HEAR it, then learn it. It is perhaps easier if I was to be able to read, but I don't, so I move on and learn my way. Probably not be a very good professional, but I am not, and I don't let it hold me back from worshiping God through what HE has blessed me with.
That is what music is to me. That is why I feel the urge to share it. It brings happiness in the world. We can all rejoice in making music and singing praises to our Creator and Friend.
To you who are reading this: You too, have a gift. Share it with others. Do not keep it to yourself. God gives each of us a gift that is designed for us to share with others. For some it may BE music, for others, it is something else. The point is SHARING is what we are to do with what makes us happy and closer to God. Maybe singing, maybe an act of Hospitality, or sending a card to someone who needs to know that there is someone who cares. Or maybe . . . You fill in the blank. What is it that you do, that makes you feel needed? Maybe someone else feels the same thing....share it. It may be visitation. To sit and listen...or to read a book to someone who has difficulty reading. Pray for God to help you share...it will make Him happy, it will make those that you are sharing with happy, and it will make you feel more complete and definitely more happy.
Keep praying, keep singing, keep smiling,
Blessings,
Gary
None the less . . . today I am so excited about music making opportunities coming that I can hardly wait to see how it will all pan out. A brief background to explain. Pat and I joined Gibson Wells United Methodist Church a while back because it was a place where we felt welcomed, and much more, because we felt we belonged. There is the complete range of people. Babies on through the teenagers, young adults, middle adults and senior adults. The youth group is outstanding! Very active and wanting to actually DO things together with the rest of the church. We have active small children WANTING to learn how to be acolytes and to be taught how to do that all so important job for worshiping Jesus. This weekend we are going on our first (their normal) Annual all church Retreat at Lakeshore Methodist Assembly (Camp) on the shores of the Tennessee River. So that is where we are at with our wonderful, and fulfilling Church family.
I had offered to teach basic, beginner level, Guitar lessons for anyone who wanted to learn the instrument at church. I have TWELVE students from teenagers to seniors, that are eagerly learning what it takes to play the guitar. Of course I am getting what I expected: "My fingers are awful sore". I chuckle, because the first night of lessons, I told them that they were going through a time of toughening their finger tips and that it would be somewhat uncomfortable. OK, actually I said: "Your fingers will hurt until they get calluses, but it will be worth the pain". I did that right up front. I looked forward to see how that would work. Results: It worked well.....a little confirmation of the correctness of my words, but they are continuing to work through it! These folks are troopers! So tonight, I will be teaching them a song to put their last few weeks of learning chords together. Got any Rivers to Cross, is a simple pre-prayer song I have used in many worship services. It has four chords. It has a rhythm to it that is simple. That is what they need to learn now. How to play the chords so they sound good, with a rhythm that can be sung with. It is indeed easier to learn if you can see how everything fits together to make music. This will be that begining tool. I am so excited for my students as they progress through the stages of learning how to make music. Very soothing for the music maker. When they find out that they are accomplishing something that has value in the hearts of most people, it will make all the unpleasant sore fingers fade into the past. I think that making music feeds the basic inner self of most people. It stimulates pleasant calmness or moving excitement, depending on the song or musical piece being played. I am looking to guiding them forward into more chords, and how they are used in music to make more interesting songs. Since I am just an old folk singer from the sixties, I am not all that complicated in my music, but it has gotten me to this level, and since I enjoy it, and people appreciate it, why would I NOT share it?
Some day in the future, because of this, there may be a new praise group sharing music in Worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the Bible, Psalm 98:4-6 says: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. That is what makes all this worthwhile. Through the many years at First Henderson United Methodist Church, being a part of the Celebration Music Team, it has been so rewarding spiritually, to make music to worship our GOD. Through music, we learn a lot more and a lot faster, the blessings God has for us to enjoy this life and to prepare ourselves for life eternal with HIM. To me, if I can share this joy with others that see what is in it for them to share, it is all worth the time and effort to do so. Am I a trained musician? If by that do you mean: can I read music? the answer is NO. Do I know at a glance how a particular piece is played? the answer is NO. My secret is finding out the key it is written in, and sound it out. I find the chord make up, and then write the chords on the sheet of music, and learn by repetition. But first I have to HEAR it, then learn it. It is perhaps easier if I was to be able to read, but I don't, so I move on and learn my way. Probably not be a very good professional, but I am not, and I don't let it hold me back from worshiping God through what HE has blessed me with.
That is what music is to me. That is why I feel the urge to share it. It brings happiness in the world. We can all rejoice in making music and singing praises to our Creator and Friend.
To you who are reading this: You too, have a gift. Share it with others. Do not keep it to yourself. God gives each of us a gift that is designed for us to share with others. For some it may BE music, for others, it is something else. The point is SHARING is what we are to do with what makes us happy and closer to God. Maybe singing, maybe an act of Hospitality, or sending a card to someone who needs to know that there is someone who cares. Or maybe . . . You fill in the blank. What is it that you do, that makes you feel needed? Maybe someone else feels the same thing....share it. It may be visitation. To sit and listen...or to read a book to someone who has difficulty reading. Pray for God to help you share...it will make Him happy, it will make those that you are sharing with happy, and it will make you feel more complete and definitely more happy.
Keep praying, keep singing, keep smiling,
Blessings,
Gary
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Rural living
God sure does care a lot about each and every one of us. Wow...what a remarkable understatement. There are not enough words or even one actual word that describes God's love for us. We try to express it in so many different ways, and it STILL doesn't seem to cover it, does it?
Life in rural (or semi-rural) is so different from life in metropolis' like Minneapolis, where I grew up, or Las Vegas, where I lived over 20 years, that it it almost the difference between day time and night time. Each has their advantages I suppose. The bigger the more "stuff" close by and easier access to buy, use, or take advantage of....like an Apple Store for instance. The closest one for me is over a two hour drive to get to. Pat doesn't see a down side to that though. I suppose I don't either as I would constantly be there "getting something". There is a zoo there to, I hear. Once you have seen the San Diego Zoo, most others are ho-hum. Living in Minneapolis, we used to go to Como Park Zoo a lot. Now for a zoo, it is a wonderful place to see the monkeys, elephants, and their Conservatory with all the plants and exotic ferns and such was, and is, really awesome. Como Park Zoo has expanded through the years and I am a FaceBook fan of theirs, but San Diego Zoo is 100 times larger and has it's own niche in the Zoo world...as every Zoo does. The point is that Cities and Rural towns are like night and day different. It didn't take me too long to convert to rural living when we moved here a little over four years ago. We have adapted to the slower, less immediate nature of living our lives. For us, that is wonderful, and actually super great! It has taught us to plan what we do, if there is anything to plan, that is. Doctor trips are usually a most of the morning and ending with lunch at Perkins trip. There is a Lowes in Jackson, AND Union City, so there is a choice of places to go, which will determine if it is a focused trip JUST to Lowes, or if Hobby Lobby is needed. While living in the big cities, THAT wasn't part of the thought process because everything was close by. Here in Rural USA, it is...just for the timing convenience factor. You get the idea.
Small towns have the basic commodities like a grocery store, post office, gas station, Pharmacy, maybe. We have access to all of those within a ten minuet drive. The larger selection of eateries is a little farther and the best selection (depending on what your craving is at the time) takes 45 minutes or so to get to. The upside factor that makes our hearts calm and our life pleasant, is the fact that what we NEED is generally close by. We have adapted to that fact. We have found that values plays an important part of decision making. Do we want to spend the extra time going to somewhere? Is it really worth the effort? Do we really NEED to go? Most times we talk ourselves out of an hour and a half round trip just to go to get something special to eat that we have a craving for, at the time.
As I am writing these thoughts this morning, Pat has gone with daughter Amy to a Girl Scout annual training event and I am sitting here in my office retreat (former master bedroom), in my stocking feet, writing and the cat is sitting in the window watching the rain falling in the back yard. What comfort this is. Knowing that life is going on and it doesn't need to revolve around constant activities, or crowds, or the hustle bustle of cars trying to occupy the same space with the other guy, to get somewhere sooner, because of their poor planning! Here it is Saturday morning, watching the somewhat gentle rain, watering the corn fields across the road, and my biggest demand today is going to the refrigerator or freezer to get something to eat. How blessed is that?
I started out this morning thinking I would be writing about music and what was going on in that area, but evidently that will wait for another time.
If you are living in a larger community, God bless you. There is an alternative if you can do it. A calmness that rural living helps provide. However, the key to calmness is NOT where you live, but where, or IF, you have God living within yourself. THAT is what is, in the end, of maximum importance. I feel so blessed and content, because I know that whatever happens between now and when I go to my final home with God, that I will continue to share my life with HIM and with letting y'all know about it, so you can get in on the BEST DEAL in LIFE! No matter how busy you are, where you live, what you do for an occupation, married or single, young or old, there is ALWAYS time to spend with God, because He is ALWAYS there. I do feel sorry for those that don't have that faith. They are missing out on the best part of life, not accepting God. It has made such a big part of my life, and looking back on it, it is God that has been guiding me though, all the way. May you be as blessed as Pat and I have been.
Remember:
Keep praying, keep singing, keep smiling
Blessings,
Gary
Life in rural (or semi-rural) is so different from life in metropolis' like Minneapolis, where I grew up, or Las Vegas, where I lived over 20 years, that it it almost the difference between day time and night time. Each has their advantages I suppose. The bigger the more "stuff" close by and easier access to buy, use, or take advantage of....like an Apple Store for instance. The closest one for me is over a two hour drive to get to. Pat doesn't see a down side to that though. I suppose I don't either as I would constantly be there "getting something". There is a zoo there to, I hear. Once you have seen the San Diego Zoo, most others are ho-hum. Living in Minneapolis, we used to go to Como Park Zoo a lot. Now for a zoo, it is a wonderful place to see the monkeys, elephants, and their Conservatory with all the plants and exotic ferns and such was, and is, really awesome. Como Park Zoo has expanded through the years and I am a FaceBook fan of theirs, but San Diego Zoo is 100 times larger and has it's own niche in the Zoo world...as every Zoo does. The point is that Cities and Rural towns are like night and day different. It didn't take me too long to convert to rural living when we moved here a little over four years ago. We have adapted to the slower, less immediate nature of living our lives. For us, that is wonderful, and actually super great! It has taught us to plan what we do, if there is anything to plan, that is. Doctor trips are usually a most of the morning and ending with lunch at Perkins trip. There is a Lowes in Jackson, AND Union City, so there is a choice of places to go, which will determine if it is a focused trip JUST to Lowes, or if Hobby Lobby is needed. While living in the big cities, THAT wasn't part of the thought process because everything was close by. Here in Rural USA, it is...just for the timing convenience factor. You get the idea.
Small towns have the basic commodities like a grocery store, post office, gas station, Pharmacy, maybe. We have access to all of those within a ten minuet drive. The larger selection of eateries is a little farther and the best selection (depending on what your craving is at the time) takes 45 minutes or so to get to. The upside factor that makes our hearts calm and our life pleasant, is the fact that what we NEED is generally close by. We have adapted to that fact. We have found that values plays an important part of decision making. Do we want to spend the extra time going to somewhere? Is it really worth the effort? Do we really NEED to go? Most times we talk ourselves out of an hour and a half round trip just to go to get something special to eat that we have a craving for, at the time.
As I am writing these thoughts this morning, Pat has gone with daughter Amy to a Girl Scout annual training event and I am sitting here in my office retreat (former master bedroom), in my stocking feet, writing and the cat is sitting in the window watching the rain falling in the back yard. What comfort this is. Knowing that life is going on and it doesn't need to revolve around constant activities, or crowds, or the hustle bustle of cars trying to occupy the same space with the other guy, to get somewhere sooner, because of their poor planning! Here it is Saturday morning, watching the somewhat gentle rain, watering the corn fields across the road, and my biggest demand today is going to the refrigerator or freezer to get something to eat. How blessed is that?
I started out this morning thinking I would be writing about music and what was going on in that area, but evidently that will wait for another time.
If you are living in a larger community, God bless you. There is an alternative if you can do it. A calmness that rural living helps provide. However, the key to calmness is NOT where you live, but where, or IF, you have God living within yourself. THAT is what is, in the end, of maximum importance. I feel so blessed and content, because I know that whatever happens between now and when I go to my final home with God, that I will continue to share my life with HIM and with letting y'all know about it, so you can get in on the BEST DEAL in LIFE! No matter how busy you are, where you live, what you do for an occupation, married or single, young or old, there is ALWAYS time to spend with God, because He is ALWAYS there. I do feel sorry for those that don't have that faith. They are missing out on the best part of life, not accepting God. It has made such a big part of my life, and looking back on it, it is God that has been guiding me though, all the way. May you be as blessed as Pat and I have been.
Remember:
Keep praying, keep singing, keep smiling
Blessings,
Gary
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Friday, August 2, 2013
The Women of our Family
Today was another mile marker in the life of the Saffell Family. Jessi Saffell, daughter of Mischell and David Saffell, Granddaughter of Pat and Gary Saffell, graduated from eight weeks Recruit Training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center today! There were 960 sailors joining the Navy today. Most are going on to additional specialized training in the many fields of technology and seamanship that the Navy has to offer those that graduate from Recruit Training. It is a time worn tradition on giving young people an opportunity to do two things. 1. Learn a life skill that can make them self sufficient if they should choose to rejoin the civilian work world when their commitment is done. 2. Serve their country in which a comparative few are either qualified or desire to share their time and skills, in the defense of this great country of ours. Our granddaughter Jessi has committed to just that, and for that reason. The quality of our young people of today is still out there to be cherished. We just don't hear about them too often, as those that are shrinking from their patriotic duties and seem to be running amok with society as a whole, are taking up so much "news space", that these fine young Americans are quietly going about doing what generations before them have done and that is to selflessly serve the land of the free and home of the brave, that is called the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. May God bless all of our young people who have chosen to serve in the military of our nation.
This is THREE GENERATIONS of Navy Women in the Saffell Family. What a proud tradition of Service. Who would have thought that a short 46 years ago we would have started such an exciting tradition. We raised two fine men (David and Todd) that served in the Navy and a fantastic daughter (Amy) that has dedicated her life to teaching Special Needs youth how to live productive lives in this sometimes frightful world that we find ourselves in. Pat and her brother joined the Navy, and Mike, retired as a Chief Petty Officer. I started out in the Navy but after 9 years, was allowed to change over to the Army because of my profession not being needed any longer in the Navy Reserve. But although I think highly of both services, it was my Navy time that I found the love of my life that got all this joy and now tradition started. So how can I NOT like my Navy time?
Watching the graduation ceremony today via the internet was so awesome, that it brought tears to my eyes, seeing all theses men and women dedicating a large part of their lives to such a time honored profession in the service of their Country. How better way to express this is for us to recognized them as true heroes!
A wonderful day today has been. What wonderful traditions do you get to celebrate in your families? I know, it is hard to top this one, but everyone has some great family traditions going on! That is part of what family is all about....traditions.
Boy, I just gotta love the Saffell women! Such patriots! Such dedication to God and Country. Pat and I are so proud of our kids, and their kids (ALL granddaughters . . . by the way).
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| Jessi and mother Mishcell Saffell |
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| Navy Yoeman Third Class Petty Officer Mischell Saffell |
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| Navy Personalman Seaman Patricia Saffell |
This is THREE GENERATIONS of Navy Women in the Saffell Family. What a proud tradition of Service. Who would have thought that a short 46 years ago we would have started such an exciting tradition. We raised two fine men (David and Todd) that served in the Navy and a fantastic daughter (Amy) that has dedicated her life to teaching Special Needs youth how to live productive lives in this sometimes frightful world that we find ourselves in. Pat and her brother joined the Navy, and Mike, retired as a Chief Petty Officer. I started out in the Navy but after 9 years, was allowed to change over to the Army because of my profession not being needed any longer in the Navy Reserve. But although I think highly of both services, it was my Navy time that I found the love of my life that got all this joy and now tradition started. So how can I NOT like my Navy time?
Watching the graduation ceremony today via the internet was so awesome, that it brought tears to my eyes, seeing all theses men and women dedicating a large part of their lives to such a time honored profession in the service of their Country. How better way to express this is for us to recognized them as true heroes!
A wonderful day today has been. What wonderful traditions do you get to celebrate in your families? I know, it is hard to top this one, but everyone has some great family traditions going on! That is part of what family is all about....traditions.
Boy, I just gotta love the Saffell women! Such patriots! Such dedication to God and Country. Pat and I are so proud of our kids, and their kids (ALL granddaughters . . . by the way).
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