I is for If That Were Me

A particularly thoughtful song from Melanie C's album "Northern Star", which became a top 20 hit in 2000. Written by Mel and Rick Nowels, with some challenging lyrics!

"How did you fall?
Did you fall at all?
Are you happy when you are
Sleeping underneath the stars?
When it's cold is it your hope that keeps you warm?"

Ten Quotations for 2010

1. "Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble." - John Madden (American football coach)
2. Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version) "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
3. "You must pray with all your might. That does not mean saying your prayers, or sitting gazing about in church or chapel with eyes wide open while someone else says them for you. It means fervent, effectual, untiring wrestling with God...This kind of prayer, be sure, the devil and the world and your own indolent, unbelieving nature will oppose. They will pour water on this flame." - William Booth
4. "It's not what you know, it's who you know" - anon
5. Proverbs 11:14 (The Message) "Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances."
6. "Whenever you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes)
7. "I call you up whenever things go wrong. You're always there. You are my shoulder to cry on." - lyrics to 'Never Be The Same Again' (Melanie Chisholm, Rhett Lawrence, Lisa Lopes)
8. "Nothing ventured nothing gained. A lonely heart that can't be tamed. I'm hoping that you feel the same. This is something that I can't forget." - more from 'Never Be The Same Again'
9. "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." - Stephen Covey (author)
10. "With Christ Into The Future" - title of a song by Generals John Gowans and John Larsson, included in the musical 'The Meeting'

Happy New Year.
:)

Never Be The Same Again!

It's been quite interesting looking back this week on the various topics that people have been talking or blogging about this week. All are to do with change, and people's positive or negative reactions to it. Just think of the following:

• The introduction of new Facebook profiles
• The introduction of Google's new StreetView image service
• All the discussion over new scoring in this year's Formula One championship

You can probably add to this list. It seems there are some who like changes, who quickly adapt. Then there are those who don't, who struggle with new systems and methods, who voice their concerns and opinions widely.

Change, however, is an essential part of life and one that we need to embrace. One of my favourite songs is Mel C's 'Never Be The Same Again', a love song speaking of taking the next step in a relationship. It's a bold change, involving stepping out of your comfort zone, possibly into an uncertain future.

Here's lyrics from another song, a Salvation Army favourite:

"When I came to him Christ came to me,
Showed me what he planned that I should be;

I was liberated there and then,
O I’ll never be the same again!"
SASB 376 - John Gowans