꧁ Blue Sky Tag ꧂

Grace over at followinghimbesidestillwaters nominated me to do this tag since September and I am just now getting to it. *sighs* That’s me. Always late to the party. Thank you once again, Grace, and now, to the questions. 

1. What is a book you have read recently?

I’m currently reading four books including one about the history of Port-of-Spain and a dead musician’s courtroom drama. I’m on a reading roll lately and loving it for I’m hoping to finally get rid of my TBR. That will be a huge accomplishment in itself!

2. Do you like thunderstorms?

Oui! Si! Ja! Ndiyo! Jes!

3. What is your favorite genre to read?

At the moment, history, law, languages, and certain fiction.

4. Do you have a pet?

Yes, I have two beautiful fur babies!

5. Do you have a favorite song or a song you’ve been listening to on repeat?

Yes; “Peace” by Depeche Mode and “Oh Lord You’re Beautiful” by Keith Green. These songs mean everything to me! 💙

6. Do you like to travel?

I love the idea of traveling around the world, but I don’t have the finance for it so I settle for traveling locally and through other people’s experiences in books or blogs.

7. Cats or dogs?

Both. 💙

8. Would you rather take a walk in nature or a walk in the city?

I like taking walks in nature be it in the city or country for God is always present no matter where I go. 

9. Favorite book or chapter in the Bible?

Every book is special for Jesus’ presence is written and felt on every page from Genesis to Revelation. My favorite books are written by Solomon and my all-time favorite verse is Proverbs 18:10. 💙 My favorite chapter at the moment is Psalm 45.

10. What is your favorite season?

11. What has God taught you lately?

To be patient in ALL things. In learning to be patient, I learn to trust Him more. In learning to trust Him more, my faith grows bigger and stronger. With my faith growing bigger and stronger, I worry less. As I worry less, I am more at peace. The more peace within me, the more humble I become.

This was fun! Check out Grace’s entry here:

The Blue Sky Tag

***GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPM are via Google Search (Right-click for original source)

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Songs of Peace #1: Peace

From time to time I’ll be exploring music outside of the Gospel genre as I previously stated earlier in the year. There are songs that I love and songs that I’ll like to discuss if time permits. Today, I share a song that’s very dear to me: “Peace” by Depeche Mode. I talked about this song a few times on here and how it helped me on my journey of peace last year. It’s about letting go of the past, anger, hatred, etc. in order to allow peace to manifest within your being.

I’m leaving bitterness behind
This time I’m cleaning up my mind
There is no space for the regrets
I will remember to forget

Peace will come to me

This song has brought so much peace to me over time! What song brings YOU peace?

***GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPM are via Google Search (Right-click for original source)

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Devotional Nugget #9: Tame the tongue 😛

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 

James 3:10-11

When words tumble from our mouths, do they edify and build up one another (Ephesians 4:29) or do they maliciously and intentionally harm (Proverbs 26:28)? If the battle over the tongue is something that we continually lose every day, then we need to examine ourselves closely.

When you open your mouth to speak, the listener/s should benefit from the conversation. Out of the same mouth should never come both blessing and cursing (James 3:11) for when you curse someone, you’re cursing God’s creation. Get rid of all “bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31). Before responding to someone with malice in our hearts or in anger, we should put ourselves in their place and ask, Would I want someone to respond to me in this way? Regardless of how the person is acting, we have to always behave and respond in a Christlike manner.

Never speak with the intention to hurt someone. It’s not easy taming the tongue on our own and that’s why we have the perfect Helper in the Holy Spirit so rely on Him.

Bring the chains
                                        Your lips of tragedy

                            Depeche Mode

Bind your lips with chains by meditating on these scriptures:

Job 15:3;6

Psalm 34:13; Psalm 141:3

Proverbs 10:19; 21:23

Ephesians 4:29

Colossians 4:6

James 1:26

1 Peter 3:10

Reflection

What do you find most challenging in taming your tongue?

Call on Jesus to help you to be mindful of the words you use and meditate on scriptures concerning the tongue. 

***GIFs/Images via Google Search (Right-click for original source)

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Teaser Tuesday: blog revamp and currently…

Yes, La Petit Muse is getting a facelift. 😁

Hello, and welcome back to my blog. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting lately when it comes to many aspects of my life including this blog. I don’t want to go into a lot of details, but I am thinking of revamping La Petit Muse as early as 2019 be it God’s willing. I’ll be adding new categories and neglecting some of the old ones. I won’t say which ones at the moment. 

No, but I can divulge a few details at the moment. 

Oh, alright! At the beginning of the year, I contemplated on bringing back Song Sunday (this month is a year since I haven’t updated it), but some of these songs these so-call Christian artists out here are singing do not entirely praise and focus on God. But I’ve made the decision to bring it back. I’ll be sharing songs that I love, discussing the intentions/meanings behind some songs and I used to write songs so I’ll be sharing some of mine as well. Also, the Origins series that I wanted to start at the beginning of this year is a go.

And that’s all I’ll be sharing for now. Now, to a small life update. 

Currently, I’m…

Watching… Criminal Minds! The 14th season kicked off with a bang although it feels like the finality of the show. 

Reading… The Women’s Murder Club series by James Patterson. I’m on the 12th book. I have no intention to write full reviews for the books, but I may talk about them at some point. I’m currently not in a book reviewing book mood anyway. 

Listening… to ‘Peace’ by Depeche Mode and ‘In Christ Alone’ by Brian Littrell. I have these songs on repeat always. 

Making… graphics for my short stories and a display banner. 

Feeling… the need for speed! Kidding! I’m feeling great! 

Planning… future blog posts that involve blasts from the past! This is going to be good!

Loving… a Web Toon call True Beauty. I accidentally came across it while searching for comics templates and I love it thus far! I’ll certainly talk about this story soon!

Grateful for all of you! 💙💙

***GIFs & images via Google Search

Positive Monday: Enjoy life

I’m leaving bitterness
Behind this time
I’m cleaning out my mind
There is no space
For the regrets
I will remember to forget

Whoa! 2018 is almost on its way out the door, but I am grateful for all the waking moments, whether they were hard or easy. I am utmost thankful to God, my Rock, and my Anchor, for breath and strength every morning. And…

 

It’s pouring BUCKETS outside, streets are flooded and traffic is already piling up. It’s going to be hard to get home despite living nearby. Despite the gloomy outlook, I’m sitting at my desk reminiscing when I’ll go outside in the rain and dance. 

Anyways, today’s reminder is to enjoy life. Sometimes we have to slow down and take a break (from the internet, TV, blogging, etc) and learn to appreciate what we were given. Nurture your well-being, pick up a new hobby, treat yourself to a “staycation”…

Adventure is out there so go on one. Explore new places, meet new people (if you like meeting people), create life lasting memories and celebrate your happy days. 

You’ll find that there won’t be any time to grumble when you’re having the time of your life for you’ll be smiling throughout. 

 56 means adventure for this guy!

Be grateful that you’re alive to see yet another day and go enjoy life. Leisure and adventure are out there.

*** Jacques-Yves Cousteau was a French explorer, innovator, filmmaker, photographer, naval officer, scientist, researcher, conservationist, and author. He studied the sea and all forms of life in water and co-invented the Aqua-Lung with Émile Gagnan.

Lyrics by Depeche Mode from a song title ‘Peace’.

GIFs via Google Search.

 

200 Question Challenge: 7-24

7. What job would you be terrible at?

Jobs that require public speaking. I’m more of a background person. I’ll toss salesperson in there for I don’t think I can approach random people and ask them to buy stuff.

8. When was the last time you climbed a tree?

I was about 14…

9. What is the most annoying habit that other people have?

To be honest, I dislike it when people complain about every single thing in their life when there are others suffering worse than them.

10. What job do you think you’d be really good at?

Paralegal. I love doing research and preparing documents. The best thing? I’ll be around the law. 

11. What skill would you like to master?

Fluent French and archery. 

12. What songs have you completely memorized?

Too many to count, but I’ll say a few of Michael W. Smith’s songs, Michael Jackson’s ‘Man in the Mirror’, Depeche Mode’s ‘Peace’ and Brian Littrell’s ‘The Answer Is You’. 

13. Are you usually early or late?

I am the most punctual person you’ll ever meet. 

14. What takes up too much of your time?

At the moment, it’s nothing, really. I have some downtime at work and I use it wisely… or at least try to. 

15. What do you wish you knew more about?

I don’t believe in wishes, but I wish I knew more about world history and how to speak tons of foreign languages so I can tell more people about God and how much He loves and cares for them. 

16. What’s the nicest thing someone has ever said to you?

Someone recently told me that they like how I’m following in Christ’s footsteps. 💙

17. Where did your name come from?

*Shrugs* My parents liked the name Diana and hence they named me Diana. Thank God I was not named for the likes of Diana Ross or Princess Diana. 

18. How do you want to be remembered in life?

As a representative of God.

19. What’s the one thing you cannot live without?

God’s Word. I thirst and hunger after it every day.

20. What do you want your last words to be?

I lived, I loved, I laughed, now, I sleep.

21. What is something that offends you?

When people can’t keep what you told them in confidential to themselves. They just have to go and spread the love to others.

22. What is something you are certain you’ll never experience?

Hmm… I tend to never say never and I tend not to dwell on things… but, maybe attending a concert or parties for I dislike crowds.

23. Do you ask enough questions or do you settle for what you know?

If I don’t understand something, I ask enough questions even if I asked it twice already.

24. Write a letter to your 5-year-old self.

Life is going to have its ups and downs; bumps, twists, and turns. You’re going to go through some tough trials and a period of self-doubt, but once you lean on and trust God, everything is going to be all right. 

*** GIFs and images via Google Search

 

Day 24: A song by a band you wish were still together

I’m not a band lover. I loved Backstreet Boys and I think they’re still together and Depeche Mode is definitely still going strong. I’ll have to go with Creed. Scott Stapp’s voice was not top notch in my opinion, but I liked it anyway. My all-time favorite song of theirs was “With Arms Wide Open”. Taking the lyrics at face value, it’s obvious that it’s about a father (Stapp) welcoming his newborn (Jagger) into the world. But the video tells a different story altogether.

Given that Creed was a “Christian” band, there had to be a spiritual theme. 

Stapp is addressing his Creator, there’s lightning and then he is suddenly surrounded by fire and brimstone (?) a sure sign that we’re living in a wicked world; the world in which his son is going to be born in. He sees a tower/church and seek refuge (Proverbs 18:10). He then finds himself in a cave under the tower church and while he sings about his one desire being that his son does not end up like him, he accepts God as His true Savior and is baptized and ends up on top of a mountain with arms wide open as if surrendering to God. Thus God receives His son once more with His arms wide open (The Prodigal Son).

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I’ll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

Day 23: A song that you think everybody should listen to

Aw, man! I don’t like recommending music at all. I’ve chosen Michael Jackson for the past few days or so and I have a feeling that I’ll be selecting some of his songs later on again, so I’ll leave him out this round! 😄 I’ll just leave 4 songs that I enjoy and hope you enjoy them too. Fair?

All I Want by Michael W. Smith

There is no greater desire than drawing closer to Jesus. 💙We’re nothing without Him and although we may fail Him, He is quick to forgive us when we come to Him. Our eyes should be set on the things above as we continue to seek Him every day and Mr. Smith couldn’t have sung it any better. Jésus est mon Univers!

Peace by Depeche Mode

When Dave Gahan sings, you shut up and listen. Eh, not really, but Gahan just happens to be my favorite vocalist after MJ. At the beginning of the year, this song chose me. It’s calm, it’s peaceful, it’s motivating, it’s uplifting, it’s about letting go of a negative nature, accepting the past, and moving forward. Peace is also my word of the year… and so is epic! 😆

Hold Me Now – Thompson Twins

Stay with meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Was I disappointed when I found out that this band wasn’t actually a pair of dashing twins? Of course, I was! But they actually had some decent music such as this one and ‘Lay Your Hands’. It’s about reminiscing about a relationship gone bad, focusing on the good times they had while they were together. 

Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy

It’s just beautiful, soothing piano music. Clair de Lune is French for “light of the moon” or “moonlight” and it was originally written in 1890. It belongs to French Impressionism, although Debussy rejected this label in a 1908 letter. Now, this is giving me some serious inspiration for a poem!

Day 18: A song from the year that you were born

Meh! Michael Jackson does not have a song from the year that I was born so this question is invalid. 

The Potentials

Human – The Human League

Broken Wings – Mr. Mister

West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys

When I Think of You – Janet Jackson

The Runners Up

Rock Me Amadeus – Falco

New Dress – Depeche Mode

Alive and Kicking by Simple Minds

Take My Breath Away – Berlin 💙

The Winner

The 80’s was my playground and what’s the 80’s without this underrated song ‘Here Is the House’ by Depeche Mode? Written by Martin Gore and sang by Dave Gahan, the song evokes a sense of longing. The narrator just wants to spend a night in with the person he loves. He wants to shut out the world and enjoy a moment, no interruptions. And then again, it conveys a sense of loss. The narrator lost everything and the house painfully reminds him of those memories he had with the person he loved. 

Either way, the song was amazing to my ear and the ticking clock at the beginning and end of the song was an effective touch. 

And I feel your warmth
And it feels like home
And there’s someone
Calling on the telephone
Let’s stay home
It’s cold outside
And I have so much
To confide to you

With or without words
I’ll confide everything

Day 8: A song about drugs or alcohol

The first song that pops into my head is ‘Beat It’ by Michael Jackson given that it was used during the Nancy Reagan’s anti-drug campaign (‘Just Say No’), but I want to take another course today and talk about a song about the media. 

I consider Depeche Mode the best thing to ever come out of England. They have sung many wonderful songs that can break a heart or heal a soul, but ‘New Dress’ is underrated maybe its because it encourages us to ignore the media given that they’re never focusing on the real news. Whenever something major happens, they dangle a celebrity in front of us to take away our short minded attention. This song also helps realizes that gossip is not okay and the world has BIGGER problems to deal with and we should stop focusing on the mundane issues. 

Although it’s a short song, it’s packed with a lot of meaning: powers that be governments and elites not doing enough to stop/help tragedies/injustices; the hypocrisy of our politicians and their promises. This generation is under the wicked sway of celebrity culture and that’s why they find it hard to tear their attention away from distraction.

We’ve come a long way from Princess Di wearing a new dress to Kate wearing Rosemary’s Baby dress. The media says it’s an accident, but I don’t believe that for one tiny second.

Jet airliner shot from sky
Famine horror, millions die
Earthquake terror figures rise

Princess Di is wearing a new dress

You can’t change the world
But you can change the facts
And when you change the facts
You change points of view
If you change points of view
You may change a vote
And when you change a vote
You may change the world