Random Poetry

I believe in sleeping in - I believe in giving 100% when you only have 80 - I believe in love, arguing, and jamming out by yourself in the car - I believe in kisses on the forehead - I believe in long kisses, smiling till your cheeks hurt, and laughing until you cry - I believe in being silly and crazy with your friends - I believe in taking chances and making mistakes - I believe in having someone tell you that you're beautiful - I believe in swinging on swings and running in the rain - I believe in miracles and random acts of kindness - I believe in saying hello to anyone and everyone - I believe in second chances and I believe that everyone deserves one

~Author unknown~

Reasons I love Music - Part 1

Part 1

Rhythm-
A syncopation, the timing, the swell and pull of a beat.

No matter fast or slow.The drama of percussion- it makes me move!

Melody-

The hook- that turn a song takes from being an okay song to the moment your heart gets tugged, briefly, and you have to listen closer.

It won you over!!

Harmony-

Unexpected, complicated

A dance between 2 or more instruments. The notes that glide together, then cross over, and when the moment is right, they soar.

I love the harmonies that speak their own language. Unison that values being unique.

The ultimate Ying & Yang.

Flowing together, a blend of ingredients to make something beautiful.

by:

Leah Banicki

www.leahbanicki.com

What a week

Oasis at GCC (Granger Community church)

Last night was so much fun!
I sang with the Oasis band, Stephanie McConnell, and Dustin Cornelius. (I hope I didn't butcher the spelling!)
The middle school kids, as always, had tons of energy. Johny spoke a message on leaving a "Legacy". It was inspiring!! Johny is a great story teller!
It is such a strange thing to me for the kids to thank me for singing for them. They bring me so much as an audience I feel I need to thank them.
I see God in their worshipping faces. It really is awesome!
The Oasis band, Mike, Scotty and Jeff. You guys love these kids every week. You put in the time and effort to bring these kids a great experience all year. God Bless you all!
Steph and Dustin, thanks for joining us last night. Thanks for sharing your talents!! I hope to do it again with you!

Sincerely,
Leah Banicki

Spring

Beautiful day! Blue, blue sky. The pine tree outside my window swaying to a lovely rhythm. Fresh air in my home. It is a crisp and delightful breeze.
Little violets popping up to say hello. My daughter on the swing.
God is good!

I think I'll write a song today.

Something relaxed and groovy!

Random Thanks

Things I Thank God for...

Spring in the air
my puppy, Tink
My daughter singing when she thinks we can't hear
Capable hands

Energy
a new song
Divine favor (not earned, just accepted)
the kid inside my husband
Chocolate (in moderation, heehee)
Smoky Mountains in Tennessee
Peace (Shalom) --->Nothing missing nothing broken
The feeling inside when I feel like singing
Mercy
finding real friends unexpectedly
the Light @ the end of the tunnel
then...

The beautiful unknown

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jason miller

An amazing read! 20-30 somethings
Find a purpose!
Just click it!
jason miller

You will Enjoy It!!
Leah Banicki

A good Fight!!

I was pondering how when things in life are changing for the better sometimes others things can go a little hay-wire. Attacks in my life right now are becoming a little common for my own comfort. The thoughts of fear and dread is not a place I want to go. Trusting God and having faith is a pretty cliche answer that I set on loop in my head but sometimes faith has to come from somewhere not just a statement. This verse popped into my head and I think for the 1st time I got it!!!

1 Tim 6:12 (amp)
Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned .

It is always going to be a fight!!!

I have to make a choice to ignore doubt and listen to the Holy Spirit. The mind is where the enemy attacks, he is a liar, he can only decieve us if we choose to listen. He plants thoughts apposing God's truth but I will no longer believe only what I can see.
I will strive to always decide to seek the Kingdom first and know it is more real than this carnal world I live in.
I will choose the voice of the Spirit and assume the position in the Kingdom that God needs me to fill. God is my source. My mind will learn to be at Peace or I will learn to ignore it.
I realize now that I have a fantasy that stepping out into the world for God is always going to be comfortable. The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter, why would I need a comforter when I am always comfortable. If I ask for the deeper things of God and long to go further in the Kingdom then shouldn't I be prepared for a fight. The bible talks about putting on the full armor of God. It doesn't sound like I'm preparing for a picnic.
I will stop imagining everything being perfect and easy and just step out, never alone but armed for battle with everything in balance and agreement with the Word of God.



I open my mouth and declare truth. Have you ever noticed that while talking the mind isn't as loud. Try counting to ten in your head while saying the days of the week.


~Things I am declaring over my life~
~God wins, always!!
~My mouth will only speak what edifies His Kingdom.
~I dig deeper everyday in the knowledge of his Kingdom.
~I can bless a person today.
~I am able to run the race that God has called for me
~The Favor of God is upon me
~I am in right standing, my rightiousness is in Christ

...Leah Sings on the web :-)

Here is your chance to hear my newest song. "Beautiful Girl"

written by myself and Jeff Banicki (my wonderful, talented husband)

Go to www.leahbanicki.com and the link is right on the front page.

Please comment to me on it, I want as much feedback on it as possible.

God Bless you,

Leah Banicki

To be Blessed- A parable

There once was a rich man, full of wisdom, who had a servant. The servant was faithful and good and the Master wanted to reward the servant for the many good years of service he had given his master. He wanted to surprise his servant with a gift. Without telling his servant why, he asked his household servant to go to the barn. (there was a gift waiting there for him from the master) The servant kept busy and forgot about the instructions after his busy day and went home. The next day it happened again.The Master watched as it continued to happen for many days. The master became worried for the gift was one that would bless his servant and his family but he had to accept it. The master the next day got very firm with the servant, that he wasn't to do anything else that day but go to the barn.
The servant was upset for a moment and felt the master was being unreasonable. His duties had never required to working in the barn and he resented having to go there. But he decided to obey his master, finally....
A few days later as he saw how the blessing was affecting his life and family he was humbled by his unwillingness to be obedient when his master only wanted to give him a gift. He went to the Master and humbly apologized again and heard the Master laugh and say that he was never angry he just didn't want him to miss out on the blessing.

By Leah Banicki

How often do we sabotage ourselves by not

following well meant intructions.

Blessings pass us by because we don't listen or pay attention.

I hope I've learned enough in my life to never let another

blessing pass me by.

Big thoughts

"You don't need to be big to think great thoughts.

You need to think great thoughts to become big."

Myles Munroe (The principles and power of Vision)

Bad days to better

A few years ago I heard a lot of good teaching about finding verses and using them to combat negative thoughts.
Though I know you may think I sound conceited to be saying these verses as a reflection of who I am, I want to clarify.
I know I am not a perfect person. But with God all the Bible has to offer is available for me. So I open my mouth and speak His word. It has changed a lot of bad days into better ones.
Here's a few verses I love!




I am rooted, established, strong, immovable and determined!
1st Peter 5:9

This is my consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life.
psalms 119:50

The spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring the Good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the broken-hearted to announce Liberty to captives, and to open the eyes of the blind.
Isaiah 61:1


Be sure to leave a comment or some other verses you love too!

The waiting game!

Thrown into the wind.
That's how I feel a little. My recording, pictures, biography and passion has been handed over for others to peruse and critique. I believe in myself so I'm not afraid of the criticism but more just feel restless.
What a strange period of time has passed. This last summer was so much different from now. I spent the whole summer praying for a purpose, a mission. I had felt for over a year to be on the verge of something. I was singing a lot, but I felt I wasn't stretching myself. I know God always wants us to be striving to do more for his Kingdom but I had no idea what to do.
I am a firm believer in the theory of movement. Keep moving toward God and He will direct your steps. But I didn't have a vision for anything but just the keep on keepin on.
I had started a workout regimen to rebuild my previously injured back. I will admit that was slow going. (My performing took a major hit during the healing process. If walking up stairs is nearly impossible than performing with gusto was equaling challenging.) I wanted to get back in shape and be all I could be for God and my family. Day by day, little victories were taking place in my body but also my mind.
After a Joyce Meyer women's conference I turned my focus to freedom. I was free to be me. Free to make good choices, free to explore what I wanted to be as a performing singer. I came back from the conference in October '05 and took my prayer to a new level. Just praying for the will of God for me, my family and my church. I starting cutting things out of my life that I felt distracted me from living to my full potential. I began to realize that I was using projects as a way to feel like I was doing something useful, even if the projects weren't something I was good at or even liked doing.
As I pruned my life a clarity began to emerge. Some people get a dream that changes their life. I got a vision!
Explaining a personal vision is nearly impossible but I know that I know it's what I am meant to do. It was the same vision I had as a child but didn't know what it meant. Before I was confused about my next step but now, suddenly I knew what steps to take and what goals I needed to accomplish.
Humbled and grateful to the LORD I stepped out the next day and began the process of reaching my Vision. With my husband (Jeff) and a few wonderful supportive people I have completed the first steps to reach my goal. I pray the favor of God goes with my demo package and I am excited to see the harvest. Lord bring the rain!
I want to sing to broken people. To show them they matter to God. Time will tell how God wants me to do that.
I know some people believe what I am doing is selfish, or ridiculous but I know what I am doing is right.
Yes, being validated by man for my singing would be nice but my reputation with God is far more important to me.
He is my source!!
My success at this moment is in my confidence in God, the vision He has given me, and my willingness to obey.

If my life never changes, it wasn't because I was afraid to face the heat. To deal with the scoffers is part of the bargain. The greatest stories we tell are always people facing the opposition and pushing through. I want my life to be a great story!
Money, fame, spotlights and big stages...
I don't know if that is exactly what God has in mind.
People seeing a different view than the world offers. Having the ability to bless many.
Yeah I could handle it, with my feet facing the right direction.

me ----->God's will for me

Who knows what I am fully capable of doing with God's help. I bet He does! Maybe I'll just trust Him and let the future do it's thing. :)

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God is bigger than... The limitations we give him.

Leah Banicki

Jumping out of the box.







Perseverance is not a long race: it is many short races, one after another.
Walter Elliot

A big to-do!

"Everyone was born with a purpose. God designed us for a reason.
~ You were born to answer a question for today's generation" Myles Monroe

A busy weekend

-a blog site
-a new website http://www.leahbanicki.com

This week-
God is so amazing!!!! My demo goes out! I have a peaceful excitement in me. I'm open and ready for whatever God wills for me. I'm so proud of my demo and so thankful for how it has all come together.
(Mike, Scotty, Tom and Jeff.... You guys rock!)
This whole thing has taught me about patience, and endurance. Mostly though I think I have let other peoples opinions about me go. I know how hard I've worked. How many years I sacrificed and all the crazy challenges life has thrown me. I'm still standing, stronger than I've ever been, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
I know who I am and who my real friends are.
Whatever happens with my music...
God has got my back!

I'm just taking His instructions one step at a time.

Leah B.