 Musical Term of the Day:Perfect Pitch - The ability to hear and identify a note without any other musical support. Philippians 3:13-15 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Perfect pitch is such a rare musical gift. I can probably count on one hand the number of people that I know who have perfect pitch. One statistic says that only 1 in 10,000 people have perfect pitch in America. Another study says that non-musicians have also been found to have perfect pitch and that autistic people, blind people, and tonal-language speakers are more likely to have perfect pitch. I do not have perfect pitch. I know I do not have perfect pitch but I am always fascinated when I am in the company of those who have this gift. I had a conversation with one sister-friend of mine who does have perfect pitch. She says it is a blessing and a curse. She told me that having perfect pitch can often be frustrating when listening to others perform because her ear is super-sensitive to the highness or lowness of a tone for she can hear even the slightest fall beneath or rise above where the tone should be. Now, I can hear when something sounds off to me but I probably could not tell you where the note should be in order to correct the sound. She could. I think that is awesome. Now there are musicians whose ear has been trained over time to gauge the placement of notes on a scale by their ear alone but to be born with such a unique gift is not common. And as one who loves to sing, I am glad that perfect pitch is not the standard to qualify the rest of us from singing, playing, performing, or even just listening to music. Today, I am doubly glad that the imperfections of my past, present, and future do not disqualify me from striving for perfection in Christ. Our scripture for today is a very familiar passage that I am sure you have heard read or quoted on different occasions. I really do appreciate this passage written by Paul. I think it does reveal a level of honesty that is often absent from the witness of Christians because of the façade they would like to give that their witness has always had perfect pitch. Well, over half of the New Testament has been attributed to Paul and in this passage he admits that the tonal quality of his witness has not always been on pitch. He admits that he has fallen beneath the notes in his past and yet he continues to press toward the mark of perfect pitch as exemplified in the life of Jesus. I do appreciate this moment of honesty, not because he admits that he has fallen beneath the tonal quality of Kingdom living, but because he keeps pressing on beyond those not so glorious times. BlogFam, I do not know of ONE perfect Christian. I can count on my hand the number of people with perfect pitch musically, but I cannot name ONE male or female who has maintained perfect pitch throughout their walk as a person of faith. No not one. No not one. BUT I can name a lot of people that I know – near and far – who are certainly striving for perfection. I can name many friends and family members who would testify, like Paul, [Philippians 3:13-16, (MSG)] I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. My Friends, this is my own testimony. I have not maintained perfect pitch but my heart’s desire is to be more and more like Jesus everyday. I’m off and running and I’m not turning back! I am learning and growing and changing and moving on. I pray that you know that the tonal quality of our witness is measured NOT by those we see, but by the ONE who has ascended to heaven and is now seated on the right hand of the throne of God. He has set, taught, and sustained the perfect pitch and he continues to calls us to rise above the broken chords of our own lives and flow on pitch with Him. My sistas and brothas, I am not perfect. (Wow! That took a lot for me to admit that! LOL!) You are not perfect. And since we have that straight, let us NOW forget the past, look forward to a brighter future, press toward the prize of the high calling in our present, and keep our minds stayed on perfection. AND if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  God Loves You and I do too!Delesslyn Twitter - @AudraSunshine Email - [email protected] If you enjoyed reading this blog post, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE on the left to get email updates,SHARE it with three people, COMMENT below, and GIVE a donation of $5.00 or your best gift to keep it going! ALSO, feel free to check out the other pages on my website! I am available to provide writing coaching and consulting as well as facilitate conferences, workshops, retreats, worship services, formal ceremonies, and other agreed upon services as needed for the benefit of your personal well-being or those with whom you serve.THANK YOU for reading and sharing! :-) P.S. - BlogFam, I NEED your prayers and support - KIDS KORNER Radio program - It is a moment to spotlight the children and youth [and youth ministers] of our community! PLEASE tune in ONLINE at http://www.wigoam.com at 5:15pm EVERY SUNDAY AND let me know you are listening!!! Also, VISIT us at www.facebook.com/kidskornerradio OR shoot us an EMAIL at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for guests, topics, or would like to be a sponsor! [sponsorships are only $25] Believe in God. |
 |
|||||||||||
 
Categories#100PoundsOfExcuses#FREEFlowFriday #iThrive #LentInAugust #TheAffirmation #TheSHIFT 2012 End of Year Reflections 3:17 40 Days of Fasting A NEW DAY!!! 8-1-2012 A Proverb A Day Keeps the Foolishness At Bay AFTER He Rose! Best Practices COPYRIGHT - Permissions Policy Cover Up! CROSS-Eyed Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Disciples Dos and Don'ts G.R.A.C.E. GAIN SOME WAIT!!! GET A CLUE...About Me HOME is Where YOUR Heart Is HOPE & HEALING HOPE! INTRODUCTION Isaiah Reflections John 3 MY VISION FAST NEW YEAR, NEW LOVE NOT SO RANDOM THOUGHTS ONE WORD REST. Period. Saying Goodbye Starting Over Starting Fresh STEP OUT OF THE BOAT - Matthew 14 The EIGHTH Day The EIGHTH Day 2 The Good Samaritan The KEY of LOVE The Living Room Christian Fellowship The POWER to be PERFECT! The Prayer Bridge Things We Left On the Mountain! VISION Wholesome Habits of Healthy Disciples WWJD = What Would JUSTICE Do? |
|
 |
|||||||||
    |
|||||||||||
