On March 1 a worship song called “The Blessing” was first introduced to the congregation at Elevation Church near Charlotte, North Carolina (written by members of their staff). A couple weeks later, during the coronavirus lockdown, a group of thirty churches in Pittsburg performed it on Easter Sunday in a virtual choir (you can find that version at this link). The song began to be sung …

Don’t let anything hold you back. You are more than your circumstances or “limitations.” Be inspired by today’s video. [If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.]

Considering the wild and whacky year we’ve had I thought today’s video was perfect. We all just need to do a little more yodeling! And when your teacher is named Sourdough Slim, you can’t go wrong. I wish I had a camera to watch you try to sing along. Too much fun. [Show off your new-found skill on your next Zoom meeting! See you end up getting muted.] And before we go to the …

Is this a video of me when visiting a bookstore? Maybe it is a video of all booklovers? Substitute paint samples with books, and the face will look the same! Enjoy! [If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.]

You thought the Lang Lang piano video was amazing the other week? Watch this one by Denis Matsuev. I’m exhausted watching the inhuman speed with which he plays. The sheer muscle memory is breathtaking since I’m not anyone who could actually think that fast to make their fingers become a blur. Be inspired that, with lots of hard work and lots of practice and a lifetime of mistakes, you, …

I cannot claim the below hilarity as my own. I found it years ago, floating around the internet without attribution. If you know who wrote it, let’s applaud them for creativity! Happy to add attribution or take this down if so asked. Enjoy this clever take on the word “canon.” ___________________ In the Catholic church, the proper title of a priest who serves as an advisor to a …

After a couple Fun Fridays with virtuoso performances, I thought it might be okay to add one more. Watch and be AMAZED! [If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.]

You can tell by now I enjoy virtuoso performances of all types (including those by writers!). Today’s video is the indefatigable Lang Lang playing Franz Lizst’s “La Campanella.” I’ve programmed the link to start at the 2:14 mark to highlight the extraordinary finger work needed to play this piece at this speed. The fingers are literally a blur. It also made me wonder …

Today’s video is “The Bugler’s Holiday” by four members of the Boston Pops. Wow! My oldest brother is an excellent trumpet player and played this in college when part of the Seattle Pacific University trumpet trio. Back then this was a relatively new song. Me? I was inspired by my brother and tried to play trumpet in junior high, using one of his old instruments. …