"For the Lord does not look at the things man looks at! Man looks on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart." I meditate on this verse daily in my comings and going. I use it as a personal rebuke whenever I feel pride coming on, or when standing up for myself, or when I'm getting ready to tithe or contribute to a cause from my "Giving Fund." Everyone who stands naked in the mirror notices flaws, although when compared with the awe of the totality of the naked body the flaws are a necessary additon to the  beautiful tapestry of a human body. My flaws are the following: 1. I avoid confrontation but struggle with NOT allowing myself to discuss questionable material with others who feel as I do (aka gossip). I was challenged this past year to 'not harm others with words of my mouth' because 'I need them (in order to) survive.' What a challenge yet what a great virtue to work towards. The problem is that truth is sometimes very harmful t...

I did a post quite some time ago on the preferred etiquette between musicians and their accompanists. There are so many things we don't think we have to say because they are commonly sensical and professional, but require a level of maturity many aren't willing to hand over. Thus comes the current post. Facebook, Twitter, and whatever everyone else uses to stay connected, linked, in-the-know, etc. are privileges. It is a privilege for someone to let you into their life a little more virtually through such sites. They are the last place, however, for public confrontation, harrassment, bullying, and other types of negative association. Would you go to your boss's facebook wall and write something rude that you think of them? Or bring up something that should be private so that all of their friends/co-workers/social circle is suddenly made uncomfortable by knowing that something weird is going on on that person's page? Not only is it showing your character or lack of, ...