Its harder than it looks...

That would be Congregational Song Leading. Something in which I've taken a great deal of interest over the past couple years. Something that I always seem to want to do every chance I get, ever since I completed my first singing school last June. But theres one little problem.

Not knowing every doe-ray-me, not being able to confidentially start a song without a soft & modest voice, not being able to keep consistent beat, and not knowing most of the songs usually called upon can make performing this task rather difficult. It was so easy back at Harmony Hill, just hold your hand up and start, you don't even have to let a sound out of your mouth to start the song, and plus people are always messing up there because its singing school, and everyone is there to learn. You also get to pick your own song at Harmony Hill. So why bother leading congregational singing? And after all, I don't have to do it. Everyone in the congregation would be just fine if I just asked another one of those talented singers to come up. No big deal, right?

Well, what about God? Does God say "if you can't do something to praise my name, that will also please the ears of other men, then just give up." I never can seem to find that anywhere in the scriptures. So, as embarrassed as I may be, I continue standing up there leading. And, as said back in the first paragraph, it always seems to be something I continually have a desire to do. Is that just my own personal pride, hoping that maybe this time I will do it right and hit every note? Or is that just God's glorious grace in my heart?

Now don't get me wrong on this, I think its wonderful that there are talented people out there who can sing so well and so beautifully. I praise God that Andrew B. can lead a song he is unfamiliar with. I praise God that The Promise can blend their voices together so well. I praise God that Sister Helen has taught a higher number of singing schools than most of my college test grades. Its great to see people like that with such talent, and to exercise that talent. But in the church, in front of the congregation, when they call on you to go up there and take that role, remember who you are singing to, because his name is mentioned in most of the songs.

"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." ~Psalms 57:7

"I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee." ~Psalms 138:1

Countdown to Graduation: 258 days

Countdown to Graduation

Note: this post officially begins Joe's "Countdown to Graduation" counter. Please continue reading for details.

Countdown to graduation: 262 days

Well today after church, Bro. Matt and Bro. Tony told me that I needed to update my blawg. So tonight I come home, load up the laptop, and would ya know it this thing still exists!!! Its been the longest stint ever since starting my blawg in August 2005, that I have gone without posting. But not to fear, joe4444 has returned to the blogging world, and will thus hopefully revive the good ole misspelled version of a "blog."

Well, with that in mind, what to blawg about? Hmm... whats been on Joe's mind today. How about that trip to the advising office in the Business building. Yea thats what I'll blawg about. I learned today from my adviser that the following courses stand in the way of my Bachelor's Degree:

MIS 4800 - INFORMATION RESOURCE MGMT (3 hrs)
MIS 4310 - GLOBAL INFO TECHNOLOGY (3 hrs)
MIS 4760 - WEB SITE DESIGN (3 hrs)
MGMT 4710 - STRATEGIC MGMT (3 hrs)
+ 1 credit hour of any elective at the University I so choose

So I'll probably take Info. Resource (MIS 4800) over the summer since there is a 2nd session of it offered. That leaves 9 hrs for the fall, plus another class of my choosing, while will probably be 3 hrs (instead of 1) so that I can remain on full time (full time = minimum of 12 hrs) and remain on my dad's insurance. So what to take? Perhaps some freshman-level, Intro. to University, ACAD course. Yes, that would be perfect for a graduating senior. But wait!!! I've already taken it. So what else? Does anybody have any ideas or suggestions on this? Is there any class all the G.C. college folks, or the Green sisters, are taking together this fall? If so, I'd love to join in.

Somebody please help me out on this if you can. Thanks yall and God bless. And GO TIGERS tomorrow!!!