Noel's ThoughtLog

Quiet time could refer to those precious moments after the kids are in bed, but for Christians, a quiet time is more than that. Quiet time, or devotion time, refers to our daily appointment with God, when we shut out as much outside interference as possible. During our quiet time, we may sing praise songs, pray, read Scripture or daily devotions, meditate on God's Word, or simply be still and listen. Making that appointment is one thing; keeping it is something else entirely! If you’ve never had a quiet time before, you may not have a good, simple plan for doing one. Simplicity is important with any plan you develop. If you make it complicated, you’re more likely to get off track. All you really need for an effective quiet time is a Bible, notebook, and maybe a hymn or songbook. Quiet time can be so difficult to prioritize. It's tempting to make excuses or just not bother. Preparing our hearts to hear from God requires a focused effort. Noise, whether outside or inside, distra...

Every once in a great while someone crosses your path, walks part of life’s journey with you, befriends, influences and invests in you, leaving you forever changed. Many people give a gift to appreciate the work done by the teachers, however, there is nothing more valuable than a few words of thanks that can make the teacher feel they have done a worthwhile job. Teachers rarely understand the impact they have on a student’s life. I guess this is because we, as students, float in and out of your lives in a sea of names and faces. However, sir I am so proud of you and want to thank you because as an educator and a music teacher, took the time to encourage me reach my potential: To play the piano with a feel, to be able to write and talk correctly, to strive to break down the walls of fear and build instead upon my dreams of doing something against the grain. Most of all, you made music fun to learn. Your love for music has influenced me to become a better student and person. You have ta...

MUSIC THAT HEALS! Music is one of the most important and powerful things in my life. My life without melodies and harmonies would be totally empty. Listening to and playing different tunes helps me to de-stress, relax and it can also help to motivate me in trying times. I love listening to music while on my way to school, as I feel it helps me to prepare for the day that waits. I think it is like the memoirs to my life as it has been there throughout everything with me. What would life be without music? The world would be a very quiet place. Music is in many ways the fabric of our lives and the definition of society. It is a reminder of how things once were, an indication of how things are, and a view of where society is headed. Music is a direct reflection of the picture of society. Music can be a way to deliver messages, a poetic medium, a fine art, or nothing more than a source of entertainment. No matter what it is used for, music is the perfect art and our lives would be that ...

Sometimes the tasks and responsibilities we do does not go the way we think, or it travels well for some distance but derails when an obstacle or challenge comes its way. We keep trying to figure out the reason or cause for this which becomes a mammoth task. Many a times we try some different tactics to breakthrough but give up when we fail again. But our history-makers have left behind legacy which proved that a single positive thought can make a huge change in the society and even the world. I believe that if all the leaders of the nation have a simple positive thought, then our society will be a better place to live in. Ultimately if the people get to think positively, I am very sure that people will have a verdant and fertile life in this world. Positive thinking leads a man to success. One who thinks that he can achieve the things, will put his best to achieve, will not fetter by the problems in the path of success and one day he will win positively. Self confidence, determinatio...

When was the last time you sat down to write a letter? Not a text message, not an e-mail that you stabbed out with your two thumbs, not a greeting card designed with your creative hands that you signed your name to, but an honest heart-to-heart letter that you wrote on paper with a pen, crafted with love, sealed it with a kiss and posted it? If you are like most people you probably handle most of your correspondence electronically, and don’t think twice before deleting text messages and e-mails. Yet there are chances where you’ve got a box of letters buried in your locker or file, stashed away somewhere that fill your heart with joy and happiness every time you dig them out and reread them. In this era of instantaneous communication, a hand-written letter is rare and wondrous item. Letter writing is among our most ancient of arts. A good hand-written letter is a creative act and not just because it is a visual and tactile pleasure. It is a deliberate act of exposure, a form of vul...